Elegant Living Archives - Page 42 of 53

Art in Indy

May 8, 2017/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Last year I shared a post about the Stutz Art Show that we attended. We decided to attend it again with our kids and we always enjoy it. (see last year’s post here)

They had more classic cars and more bands playing music everywhere. Some of the same artists were there but then again there were a few new faces.

We had a good time. I did not take any photos this year. I learned that some of the artists do not like it. So I wanted to respect their work and just enjoy it. I did however take photos of some of the floral arrangements that were there.

Beautiful, beautiful simply beautiful!

Okay, I did manage to sneak in one piece but that was all. So pretty…..

Okay, this was my favorite thing in the whole show. This artist brought in some fresh lilac from her garden at home. She was really nice and very pleasant. Love the blue and white plate of course!

I hope you take advantage of whatever art shows or galleries you have in your city. Like Jennifer L. Scott would say, “continue to seek the arts”.

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Picnic Ideas

April 28, 2017/4 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Summer is upon us and this year and I wanted to do at least one thing. I want to have a picnic! I have not had a picnic since I was in high school and I loved them! So this year I have it on my calendar to plan a picnic for me and my family. Here are some of my ideas….

Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash

1) A nice blanket and some pillows

2) Of course I want lots of fresh fruit and sandwiches

3) I think some french bread would be nice to nibble on with some gourmet cheese.

Photo by Alexandra K on Unsplash

Beautiful spread

4) Oh and of course I can not forget the candles!

Photo by Julia Kicova on Unsplash

I am looking forward to this and I know my family will enjoy it! Oh and I can not forget the wine. It will be nice to have a glass with my husband while the kids walk around. I am really looking forward to this!

photo credit Daiga Ellaby

I am hoping that some flowers will be around while we are enjoying each other’s company.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and are inspired to have your very own picnic!

Social Graces

March 24, 2017/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

This is our last section on manners for this week. I do hope that you enjoyed these tips from Kate Spade. If you are interested pick up the book on Amazon. It is really cheap, entertaining and helpful.

The last tips that I wanted to share are on social graces:

~May I air kiss you?

The handshake of yesterday is the air kiss of today. If you’d rather shake hands, then be swift and extend your hand in greeting before someone leans over to plant a kiss. Depending on where you live, the social air kiss can vary: in some cities, one kiss will do it; in others, it’s European style, with a bus to both sides. If you each turn so that you accidentally kiss on the lips, might light of it.

Photo by Hendo Wang on Unsplash

~ To hug or not to hug- If you’re friends, then yes. If it’s a business colleague or client, with whom there is a genuine rapport, then yes. If you’re meeting up with a group that includes good friends and near-acquaintances, then hugging everyone is optional- but so time-consuming!

~Sorry, but what’s your name?– You’re in a swoon, you and your new amour kiss, and he calls you by someone else’s name. What to do- step on his foot? Vow never to go out with him again? Or call him by the wrong name? If you care, then bring to his attention, but don’t let it keep you up at night.

~ We must do lunch– Sincerity is the cornerstone of good manners, so if you suggest lunch or a drink to someone, be sure to mean it. Follow up with a phone call or written invite within two days’ time.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

~ Double dipping- It’s not SANITARY, it’s certainly not appetizing to witness, yet just about everybody does it. If you’re passing hor oeuvres, you can help prevent this by immediately offering someone a napkin or toothpick. You can’t reform all the folks all the time, but no harm comes from trying.

~ The Art of the Toothpick– Actually, there is no art to using a toothpick. When you feel the need for a little dentistry, excuse yourself and take care of the problem in private.

And lastly,

~ Tardiness– Some people are inherently tardy, no matter how hard they try: others are always early. With understanding, both kinds of people can be accommodated. What isn’t excusable. however, is calling someone at the exact time you’re supposed to meet and saying that you’ll be anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes late. Calling ahead shows respect for the other person.

I do hope you enjoyed this post. I know I did. I always need a refresher on manners and grace. Being in a world where you see none of it can be hard sometimes. I must admit, sometimes I just want to throw my hands up and join the masses. But I try to step back and remind myself of what I want out of life and try not to be like everyone else.

I always say I want to be a fragrance to people, not an odor.

(list by Kate Spade)

Gracious Recoveries

March 22, 2017/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

We are now moving on to social spills and recoveries from Kate Spade’s book Manners. I thought these were pretty funny and interesting.

It’s one thing to get mail with your last name misspelled and quite another when an acquaintance continually does the same thing (and mispronounces your name as well). What can you do? How can you be gracious without embarrassing your friend?

~ Squirting your seatmate when you crack open a lobster. Offer your bib, if you have one, another napkin, and maybe even a piece of your lobster if it was from the claw.

~ Arriving a week early for a party
Humor is really the only way out of this one. Explain that you’re on a campaign to improve your tardiness and that you seem to have gone slightly overboard in the direction.

photo credit Guillaume de Germain

~ Inquiring after someone’s spouse and learning that they’re no longer married

It’s apparent that this is more of an acquaintance than a close friend, so offer a brief but sincere apology. Don’t, however, take license and ask why the marriage ended.

~ Wearing the same dress as the hostess of an event

This is a case of the Frozen Smile Solution. Doubtless, neither of you is amused by the coincidence, but outwardly make light of it and let it pass.

photo credit This is Glamorous Instagram account

~Spilling a Sea Breeze down the front of your white summer dress/ Someone else spilling a Sea Breeze down the front of your white summer dress.

Both spills were accidental, and thus it doesn’t matter how the cocktail got on your dress. Excuse yourself, find some club soda, and do what you can in the short term to minimize the problem.

~ And the most predictable of bathroom boo-boos: a stubborn toilet

Who said life’s fair?

And last but certainly not least….

The Name Game:

Social faux pas are often committed in the misspelling or mispronunciation of a name. Contrary to the belief that you should grin and bear it, it’s actually a kindness to correct the person right then, rather than wait until a later time. Sometimes a delay adds to someone’s embarrassment rather than mitigates it. When you do inform someone of your correct name, do so in a friendly and casual manner.

I hate doing that but you want to make sure that they know how to say your name. I have to correct people all the time. I hope you enjoyed this list just as much as I do. It was most helpful.

(text by Kate Spade)

Style + Work = Poise

March 20, 2017/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

This is my last post (for now) on style from Kate Spade. I wanted to share her formula for poise and demeanor in the office.

~ Consider the type of job you have: whether you work in a corporate environment, at a fashion magazine, or in real estate, the sensibility of your job and your position will guide your dress choice.

photo credit Hoang-Kim Instagram account

~ Geography counts. Small town, big city, rural or urban are relevant indicators of dress.

~ Draw attention to your work, not your dress. How you dress may be one way of communicating, but your PERFORMANCE is always the best way to “talk about” yourself to your colleagues or your boss.

~ Err on the side of discretion, not obsession: you might be proud of your tattoos and many earrings, but at work cover body markings and keep the earring count down to a pair -an earring on each earlobe.

~ Workstyle is not about the gym-fit figure but about demeanor: no matter how flat your stomach is, don’t show it.

photo credit Mariah Hewines

~ Blue hair, purple hair, overly hennaed hair, or architecturally spiked hair is best left to after-work hours.

~ Be observant. Some rules are spoken. Many others are unspoken.

~ For presentations or lectures, select something with color so that you won’t fade into the background. Avoid looking washed-out.

~ What’s good for the goose is not good for the gander. Just because your boss might deviate from the normal office attire, don’t copy her or him. (Or at least not until you’re the boss and get to set the rules!)

Above all, be confident: posture and demeanor go a long way in an office. What you wear is part of the secure image you project.

(Text via Kate Spade)

In the Office

March 17, 2017/3 Comments/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

I wanted to share these fabulous tips from Kate Spade. I am a firm believer in office dress codes. People will push “causal” to the max if you let them.

“To be honest, I don’t dress that much differently in the office than when I’m not working. Sometimes my choice of colors (or clothing is based on hooky and going to museums).”

I so agree with this! My wardrobe doesn’t change much from weekend to work week.

photo credit Sabine Instagram account

Dressing for work means dressing for your company and your responsibilities. If your company has a dress code, apply your style within those parameters. If you see a lot of clients or customers, consider that what they see is also how they’ll feel about you. Remember: NO ONE EVER GETS REPRIMANDED FOR DRESSING WELL!!!

Amen sister!

photo credit ffnf Liketoknowit

I love this quote from Kate. I hate casual Fridays! People come to work in the craziest things.

“I know I should like “casual Friday, “but in truth, I find it silly. It’s not that I feel there is only one right way to dress for work, and of course, I want everyone who comes to our office to feel happy. Yet when staff show up in shorts and sneakers, it’s as if they’re saying good-bye before even saying good morning.”

photo credit Mariah Hewines

Another aspect of dressing well is beauty and the most important thing about beauty is to leave SOMETHING to the imagination. That is still very important.

I hope you enjoyed this post and continue to look beautifully dressed at work.

(text Kate Spade)

Floral Beauty on Pinterest

March 8, 2017/in Elegant Living, Uncategorized /by mrs.sshockley

Most of us are on Pinterest and enjoy finding inspiration there. I have mentioned before that I have a couple of boards but this past weekend I found myself on my Floral Beauty board longing for some spring….