Posts that inspiring an elegant life

Art in the Office

Pinterest truly inspires us all. I am always on there looking for ideas and inspiration. I stumbled on this photo recently. I was so inspired by all the art photos above the desk.

What’s funny is that I looked above my desk and realized that I was already putting up art above it. I just smiled and thought, “Well at least my idea has been confirmed”. So now I will continue to put art above my desk and when I look up it will be magical….

My office is on the left. The Pinterest photo is on the right. 
I found this interesting…..

Elevator Etiquette

Okay, elevator etiquette is something that I consider to be very important. I work in a skyscraper so I ride an elevator a lot! I always make sure I hold the door open if I see someone coming and I always so hello to the person getting on. I noticed that now with these smartphones no one wants to talk to anyone.

It’s rather annoying. Everyone grabs their phone to distract themselves until they get off. What’s wrong with talking to people? I like getting on the elevator after dealing with the rude individuals on the road and talking to someone about fashion or decor or just life. It’s like a breath of fresh air when someone talks to me on the elevator. I understand that as a safety measure you can’t always talk to some people but most of the time we know who we can and who we can’t.

Below is a list of rules for elevator etiquette. I saw this on Town and Country and really enjoyed it. Also, watch the video below from author Jennifer L. Scott about etiquette and if you missed my blog entry about other places to be elegant see here  and here . Enjoy!!!

1. Ladies First


2. Zip the Lip (Elevator rides are not meant for cell phone conversations)


3. Move to the back (Move to the back so that everyone can file in an orderly fashion) 


4. Le snack (Don’t eat your lunch on the elevator) 


5. Remember there is a camera


6. “Can you hold the door please?”


7. The Exit Strategy (In the back of an elevator and your stop is next? No problem, simply say, “Pardon me, this is my floor”.)


8. Plain old pleasant (Use the following pleasantries, “Good Morning”and  “Have a great day”. Kindness always makes the world a better place.) 

To watch this on your mobile click here.
(video via Daily Connoisseur) 

Always Use Your Best

I am a firm believer in always using the best you have. I always use my best dishes, glasses and other dinnerware. I always use my linen napkins every time we eat dinner.

I use my best vases for flower arrangements. I wear my best shoes on the weekends. I wear my scarves and jewelry on the weekends also! I don’t see any point in “saving” things for special occasions. Honestly, you never know if those occasions will come. So use your best and wear your best always.

People, places and things are here to enjoy so enjoy them. Attached are two of my favorite YouTube videos from the The Daily Connoisseur.  I love how Jennifer is a connoisseur of daily living.  Lastly, if you missed my blog entry on wearing your best in the evening see here. Watch the videos and enjoy!

My top from J Crew and real pearl necklace. 
Now most people would save this for the holidays.
Well, I didn’t. I like to wear nice things now. 

My blue and white dinnerware. I use it almost everyday for dinner or breakfast.


My glasses I use everyday. My step-sons use them also. 



I like to use nice platters when having dinner also. I found this at the Goodwill.
See my blog entry here about Goodwill shopping. 


To watch “Always Use Your Best” on your mobile click here.
To watch “Portion Control Tip Use China” click here.

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley, videos via the Daily Connoisseur)

Printable Place Cards

I love decorating a table for dinner. I always try to keep it simple so when I read the blog entry for printable place cards from the  Ballard Designs Blog I knew this would be a big hit!



They provide these easy place cards that you can just print out and write on them! The designs are so perfect and it so easy. I definitely will be using these for the holidays. See some great examples below. Enjoy!!


Photo by Thomas AE on Unsplash


This is a great simple example!
(my photo)
This is one of the printable place cards from the Ballard Designs blog. 

And I just had to add this gorgeous table! 
Just stunning….

Flowers by Carolyne Roehm

I love flowers which is not a shocker to anyone who has been reading my blog! But when I stumbled on former fashion designer Carolyne Roehm my love for flowers was taken to a different level.

Carolyne is a wonderful interior designer also! I love her home and the sense of carefree elegance that she has.  I can’t wait to get a copy of her newest book “Flowers”. Below are some photos and two videos. The first one is a video of Carolyne doing some flower arranging in her home and the second video is of her flower shopping with Susanna Salk.

I love both videos and watch them over and over. Enjoy!!


Photo credit: Carolyne Roehm

Photo credit: Carolyne Roehm 

Click here to watch it on your mobile.




And to watch “Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Carolyne Roehm” click here.
(all photos via Google and videos via Youtube)

Using Cloth Napkins at Home

I have been adding small but elegant lifestyle changes to my life. I have always loved using dishes instead of paper plates. I love drinking out of glasses instead of plastic cups. There is nothing wrong with using paper dishware but for me I just want to use my nice things everyday.

I hate the motto of “saving things” for later. Why? Later may never come. So why not use your beautiful dishes now. Why not drink out of glasses now? What is wrong with using nice things everyday? Since when are we not good enough?

Well, we are. So I have been using my things everyday. I have now moved onto napkins. I have been reading Style & Simplicity by Ted Kennedy Watson for the last few weeks. It is absolutely inspiring! In the chapter called “Dish Towels” he mentioned using good quality dish towels as napkins. I thought what a great idea! He mentioned that his favorite were Le Jacquard Francais dish towels from France.

I have been buying mine from the local flea market. They are wonderful. I have now placed them in a basket on the counter so that after I prepare our plates for dinner we get into the habit of grabbing a linen napkin instead of a paper towel. I love using them and so does my daughter.

My linen napkins at home; ready for dinner
Having dinner with cloth napkins. It’s a small but great luxury. 



I am now in the habit of using my beautiful vases for weekly fresh flowers. 
It’s nice having them at the table for dinner. 

Puppies & Sunday Lunch

We have a boxer named “Bishop”. We have had him for about 2 years now. He is my baby! I love my boxer. Well, we recently bred him with a female boxer and they had about 8 puppies. One died because of complications but the other 7 are doing quite well.

The family of the female boxer has invited us out to see the puppies a few times now. We have enjoyed watching them grow. Below are some photos from our recent visit. Enjoy!

The family’s home. Isn’t it beautiful…….




The drive there….. not in the city




Look at all this space! The boxers have all this room to run!


The backyard. Soy beans are growing behind their home. 



My husband holding one of the gorgeous puppies!



Oh, he is feisty! He did not want a photo!




Me holding my favorite one… Isn’t he cute?




More puppies




They fed us a great simple lunch! It was pulled pork sandwiches, alfredo macaroni with broccoli,
green beans, salad, and corn on the cob! It was wonderful!




Last but not least homemade cheese cake with homemade blueberry sauce.
Oh, gosh it was to die for!


This couple has a fantastic catering company called OnSiteCaterer. Please check out their facebook page. Their food is delicious!!!
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)