Posts that inspiring an elegant life

Polish Your Posture

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I have just been a reading queen recently. I am still reading the third installment of Jennifer L. Scott’s book Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic. I am in the chapter about posture.

We have all heard about the benefits of good posture but sitting up straight can be annoying sometimes. I must admit there are days where I just don’t feel like it! But then I remember who I am and what life I am trying to live.

Jennifer talks about making a commitment and becoming aware of your posture. After sitting at the computer for awhile she suggests standing up and rolling your arms backward to reverse the effect. Make an effort to sit up straight while you work. Bring this awareness to everything you do.

Jennifer also mentioned that she got to ask principal dancer Allyssa Bross about a ballerina’s secret to great posture. Here is what was said:

Many times ballet dancers are known for their great posture, and automatically people assume it is because they stand with their shoulders back and spine straight, but posture is more than the way one stands. Posture is the way one carries oneself in any social setting. It starts from within and then moves outward.


Controlling one’s body and posture starts with the mind. Thoughts affect our actions, body, and the way we take care of it. Here are five helpful tips to keep good posture:

1. Loving yourself
2. Confidence
3. Exercise (when you have strong, nimble muscles, posture is easier to maintain.)
4. Chin up and neck long
5. Eye contact

I hope you enjoyed these tips from Jennifer and purchase her latest book Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic.





photo credit Marchionesshg Instagram account

Lunch at the Ayres Tea Room

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The L.S. Ayres store was the focal point of downtown Indianapolis. People would stand in line to have lunch at the Tea Room. It was the Tea Room that epitomized the Ayers experience. Now with our fast food saturated culture, the Tea Room was more than a quick bite to eat. It was about waitresses who knew regular customers by name and food preferences. It was about real china, clean tablecloths and fresh flowers. It was about a menu rich in elegant, yet comfortable, food- chicken velvet soup, apricot bread, chicken pot pie, club sandwiches and chicken salad. ~S.L. Berry 

My boss took me to lunch there for the first time after Christmas. I was in heaven. The atmosphere was elegant but not over the top. It was sensible, friendly and classy. I adore the room. It was not too noisy, and not crowded. It was shear perfection! I made reservations for my family after church service. They enjoyed it! Especially the chicken velvet soup. I will be returning again very soon.

The room, lovely isn’t it?

The waiting area

I love the wallpaper.





The classic chicken velvet soup! The recipe is 110 years old. 




The chicken pot pie with pastry crust! Scrumptious! 

The tea experience, it was lovely. 


Dessert, very good!
(photos via AHFE)

Our First Ballet ~ The Nutcracker

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I have been inspired by the arts recently. I told my husband that I would like to get into the habit of learning new things and seeing new things. A few months ago I heard about the “Nutcracker” performed by the Indianapolis Ballet here in our city.

I purchased some tickets and my daughter and I went. We sat down and had a wonderful lunch at our favorite restaurant Panera then headed to the ballet. It was at the Scottish Rite Cathedral which was absolutely beautiful.

When my daughter walked in she was in awe! She started talking pictures with her tablet! I was so glad that she enjoyed the ballet and asked if she would bring a friend next time. I was very pleased with the performance and the prices.

It was just splendid….

My daughter and I

From our seats….

This is how close we were to the stage

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Thank~You Notecards

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I have been hearing a lot about writing thank you notes to people. There is nothing like a hand-written note.

When I receive one I keep them because it says that this person took the time to write down their thoughts.

I keep a box of blank thank you notes at work and home. They are easy to find and are just lovely gifts. It also keeps you active in the cursive writing arena.

If you can pick up a box of blank thank you note cards today. In a world where technology is taking over this is a nice way to keep beautiful gestures in our world.

My thank you note cards at work

My thank you note cards at home
(photos via AHFE)

House Slippers

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There is nothing like coming home from a long workday and taking off your heels. One thing that I have grown to love are my house slippers.





I try to get them in dark colors so they can hide dirt. I really like these slippers. I found them at Walmart. Shocker!!! 
They are called the Dearfoams Ballerina Slippers.
Another great option are these great Isotoner Ballerina Slippers.
I found these great slippers on T.J. Maxx.com
They are called the Velour Ballerina Slipper.


Whatever you find just know that there are great options out there for being comfortable and looking chic at home.

photos via Mrs. Shockley

The Scent of Home

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Last month I shared that I was reading a book called, “The French Beauty Solution“. I have shared a few ideas and solutions from the book (see here and here if you missed it). I have really enjoyed this book.

I am learning a lot about my skin and how to take care of it. The book discusses different creams that you should use at different stages in your life. She gives recipes on how to make your own facial scrubs and home scents.

Now I loved the paragraph about creating a relaxing spa atmosphere at home.  I wrote about some of my favorite home scents, see here if you missed it. The section about “scents” was wonderful. Here is what Mathilde discussed about scents……

“The easiest way to create a relaxing spa atmosphere at home is by stimulating the most potent of your senses. It’s all about scent. Burning a delectably fragranced candle is the quickest way to transport you out of the everyday. This has been proven by more than thirty years of studies undertaken by International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. (IFF), one of the largest suppliers of raw fragrances to perfumers in the world.

Find a scent or scents that evoke strong memories of something pleasurable or wonderful in your life. It would be a vanilla that reminds you of your grandmother’s sugar cookies. Or lavender-for that trip you took to the south of France where you wandered through acres of ripening plants waving gently in the wind. Or sandalwood- for the time you went to Chinatown in San Francisco and got caught in the rain only to discover that the little sandalwood fan you’d just bought smelled even more delicious when it was wet. I love lighting candles that smell like the vine flower- yes, it grows on grapevines!- because the scent reminds me of our vineyard in Bordeaux at the end of spring, when you can feel that summer is soon to arrive.”

Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash


text Mathilde Thomas 

Eat like the Royals

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A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was reading a book called The French Beauty Solution. I also said that I would share a few notes or chapters from the book that intrigue me.

I read a section called “Eat like the Royals“. This really caught my eye because it talked about how the French eat their meals. I loved this little tidbit. It puts your meals in perspective.

* Eat breakfast like a king. Have it be the biggest, richest, and most satisfying meal of the day.


* Eat lunch like a prince. Its’ not quite as rich as breakfast, but still fills you up.


* Eat dinner like a peasant. This meal is just as delicious, but with nothing that takes a long time to digest.

In other words, breakfast should always be your biggest meal of the day and dinner your smallest. This gives your body the time it needs to efficiently process your meals. It keeps your blood sugar from spiking, which can give you uncontrollable cravings for carbohydrates and sugary snacks. And it gives you all the energy you need to make it through the day.

(text by Mathilde Thomas)