Posts that inspiring an elegant life

Keeping your Handbags Elegant

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I own about 12 authentic designer leather bags. I love my bags and use them. The one thing that I cannot stand is seeing a woman pull out trash and other foreign objects out of her bag!

I just think, “Are you serious”! You don’t have time to throw the trash away but you seem to have the time to keep stuffing your bag with it. I think cleaning your bag about once a week is a good habit to adapt.

And when I say cleaning your bag I don’t mean scrubbing it down every week. Just simply getting rid of trash, receipts, old candy, hair, lint and dirt.

What I use for cleaning my bags are baby wipes, Coach Leather cleaner, Coach Fabric cleaner and a lint roller. Below are pictures of what I use and what I do to care for my bag. There is also a video from Martha Stewart and she shows how she cleans her bags. Enjoy!

What I carry in my bag is 3 small makeup bags, my Coach wallet,
Travel organizer, Coach Sunglasses and small bottle of body spray.

The black and gold item is my travel organizer. You actually use it to pack your toiletries 
when you are going on a trip but I use it for organizing bills, notes, checks, etc.

I use a lint roller to grab hairs and dust out of my bag

I use baby wipes or leather cleaner to get the dirt off.

I use small makeup bags to keep small items in. Like in my small black one I 
keep my headphones, mp3 player and charger. 

The cleaners I use on my bags. The are only $10 at the Coach stores. One is for fabric 
and one is for leather. 
http://www.marthastewart.com/243340/handbag-care-how
 
 

9 Gestures a Woman Should Never Do

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Last week I posted a book review on “A Guide to Elegance”, by Genevieve A. Dariaux. I am still finishing this book but it is so fantastic to me! I just think it’s wonderful.

It’s rich with ideas and standards that you can began to incorporate into your own life. Being a woman is becoming a dying art. But this book can help you with bringing it back to life!

I read the chapter called “Gestures”. In this chapter she discusses gestures that you can do to immediately obliterate any image you may create of being well dressed. So below is the list of things that can demolish a woman’s elegance. Remember these are actions done in public:

1.   Diligently seeking some undesirable foreign matter by means of an exploratory finger in her mouth. (digging for food in your mouth)

2.  Scratching her head. (guilty!)

3.  Tugging at her underwear. (guilty!)

4.  Pulling up her bra straps. (guilty!)

5.  Carefully examining the condition of her complexion or teeth in her compact mirror.

6.  Biting her fingernails.

7.  Sitting with legs apart.

8.  Combing her hair at the table.

9.  Talking to loudly in a public place. (this drives me nuts)

Homekeeping with a Pet

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Homekeeping is very important in regards to being elegant because a clean home is an elegant home. I really like to clean and organize. It takes my mind off whatever issues I may have for the moment. It’s great exercise and you can listen to your favorite music.

I have a boxer named Bishop. I love my dog and enjoy having him. One thing I will not tolerate is my home smelling like “dog”. My visitors should see my dog not smell him. That is why I clean my house religiously. I keep my floors swept and vacuumed. We bath our dog and wash his blankies.

One product I decided to try last year was the Swiffer.  It is absolutely wonderful!!! I use it on all my floors and it gets all of the dog hair and human hair. Another product I use is Odor Control Solutions. My husband buys it at our local pet store. It is an all natural treatment for bacterial odors. I sprinkle a little on the floors and vacuum. It works great!! They have it in lavender and lemon scent.

The other products that we use are the Nature’s Miracle . They have helped when he had his little “accidents”. Of course I still have my Bath and Body Works bulbs in my walls and that keeps the house smelling wonderful. Below are some photos of what products I use. So I want to give those of you a little hope who have pets that having an elegant home is possible.

My dog “Bishop” in my sitting room

The carpet cleaner I use





My Swiffer

All the hair it picks up (sorry I know this is gross but I wanted to show everyone)

My beautiful Casablanca lilies, my dog does not bother them. 









(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Being Elegant in Public Bathrooms

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Oh my this is a touchy subject. Public bathrooms are just gross sometimes. I know that bathrooms are made for doing “your business” but some people’s business is worse than others. I have made a habit of trying to be nice, clean and as odor free as I can be when going to public bathrooms.

Sometime ago, I went into a bathroom and noticed that there was no tissue! I was horrified! So to remedy that I now carry personal cleansing cloths. They come in different scents and they are just wonderful! They are also hypoallergenic so you don’t have to worry about “breaking out”.

Another item I carry is room spray. Bath & Body Works and Yankee Candle sell fantastic room sprays! They are small enough to keep in your bag or your baby bag (if you still carry one). So I go in do my business, use my wipes, spray my bottle once, wash my hands and when the next person comes in after me they are greeted with a friendly scent and not thinking, “Oh Lord”!

So I encourage you to visit your local Bath and Body Works or Yankee Candle to pick up your favorite room spray. The prices range from $5-$7 and the wipes are sold in most stores. They are about $3 a box and are small enough to keep in your makeup bag. Below are photos of what I carry now. Enjoy!

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Afternoon Tea Etiquette

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I love having tea! It reminds me of the days gone by. I love getting together with some friends having tea and talking about anything. I think that learning tea etiquette is also a wonderful trait to add to being a lovely lady.  I have a channel on Youtube and I enjoy watching some of the videos of some of the women that I follow. There is one in particular and her name is Trina Leavers. She lives in London and I just love her style!

She is so elegant and down to earth. I started following her a few months ago and I have learned so much from her. She is like a distant girlfriend that I chat online with. In one of her videos she talk about how to have afternoon tea (London style). She has this tea set called Royal Albert Old Country Roses. It is just stunning!

While at Macys I find the Royal Albert set and my goodness is it expensive! Just for one tea cup and saucer alone is $60! So what did I do, I went to Ebay.  I found a cup and saucer set for $25! I was so excited. So now I am on a quest to complete my set. I will have to buy it piece by piece but oh well. Below is a photo of me with my cup and also is the video with Mrs. Trina in it. I have also attached a video of the proper way to have tea. The videos are so fun! I hope you enjoy them!

how to make a proper cup of tea – YouTube
English Cream Tea Etiquette – YouTube

Looking Presentable at Home

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Looking presentable at home has been a task for me. As soon as I come home my second job begins. Being a wife and mother is a lot of work and sometimes when you get off you don’t want to look “polished”. Well one day when I came home I looked at myself and noticed that my hair was not in order and I just wanted to get out of my clothes. But then I realized that I put a lot of effort into looking nice at work. Why not look nice at home to?





If the people on the outside world see my best then so should my husband and daughter. So now when I come home I comb my hair, spray on some more perfume and put on my apron. I am starting to love aprons. They keep my clothes nice and they can hold your cell phone and lip gloss. They are pretty inexpensive. I paid only $12 for it. I watched a video called “Looking Presentable As a Busy Mom” by the Daily Connoisseur. It is a great video and has helped me to continue on my quest for looking chic at home. So take a look at the video and let it inspire you!
the Daily Connoisseur – YouTube


(photo via Mrs. Shockley)
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100 Ways to Be Elegant

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I found this list last year on the Simply Luxurious Life blog by Shannon Ables and I just fell in love with the list. I also noticed that I did about 44 of the requirements already which was a nice surprise! I enjoyed this list so much that I printed it out and keep it in my library. I think it’s just a great reminder and a joy to read each time. You take a look at the list and see how elegant you already are!!

 

100 Ways To Be Elegant


by DeeAnne on 11/06/2010 (livethecharmedlife.com)

 

1. Send thank you notes
2. Practice good posture
3. Speak more softly
4. Listen without interrupting
5. Wear solid colours
6. Ignore fads, or use them sparingly
7. Have a signature wine that you serve at home
8. Wear only 2-3 accessories
9. Have impeccable manners
10. Read on a variety of topics
11. Maintain a budget
12. Study the arts
13. Have one signature perfume/cologne
14. Show restraint in expressing anger
15. Learn the art of conversation
16. Learn French
17. Wear a trench coat
18. Learn how to wear a scarf
19. Wear a tuxedo, when one is called for
20. Practice quality over quantity
21. Don’t yell or scream
22. Learn to dance the waltz
23. Have one fabulous signature meal you serve guests
24. Remember birthdays
25. Go on picnics
26. Wear dresses/suits more often, and on dates
27. Simplify your life, your home and your calendar
28. Wear pearls
29. Open the door for ladies
30. Let him open the door for you
31. Remember that it’s more important to be kind than it is to be right
32. Serve coffee or tea after meals
33. Arrive exactly on time
34. Don’t complain
35. Dress to travel
36. Be well travelled
37. If you’re a women, don’t wear black shoes between Memorial Day and Labor Day…wear spectator pumps instead
38. Keep your home clean and uncluttered
39. When guests stay over, put a small pitcher and glass for water on their nightstand, along with a book they might enjoy
40. Learn how to host a small dinner party
41. Have one subdued solid colour scheme throughout your home, use accessories to add colour
42. Learn how to make the perfect martini
43. Learn how to tie both a regular tie and a bow tie (whether you’re a man or a woman)
44. Be a lady or a gentleman at work, especially when delivering a difficult message or when tempers flare
45. Wear lovely/handsome hats
46. Don’t point out the mistakes of others
47. Wait your turn patiently
48. Don’t curse
49. Chew each bite 20 times
50. Sip your drink
51. Learn proper etiquette for all situations
52. Accept compliments graciously
53. Be quietly self confident
54. Don’t boast
55. Be respectful of others
56. Have fresh flowers in your home
57. Write a letter rather than send an email to those you love
58. Keep your nails well manicured
59. Maintain your shoes and clothing
60. Don’t ever lose your joie de vivre
61. Be well groomed
62. Remember that money does not equal elegance, nor is it necessary to be elegant
63. Wear less make-up
64. Wear well-fitting clothes
65. Spray lavender on your sheets
66. Be positive
67. Learn to politely say no
68. Be concerned with making others feel comfortable
69. Maintain good health
70. Don’t overindulge
71. Hold yourself to high standards
72. Turn your mobile off at dinner
73. Wear simple, classic hairstyles
74. Think before you speak or act. Ask yourself, can anything good come from this?
75. Apoligize sincerely
76. Have integrity
77. Don’t speak ill of others, or gossip
78. Always take a gift to your host or hostess
79. Tie a scarf on your handbag
80. Take a clutch in the evening
81. Wear well fitting jeans with either a long sleeve white shirt or solid sweater for more casual events
82. Only wear sneakers for exercise
83. Use white sheets, white towels, white dishes
84. Be sure your clothes are pressed
85. Your car’s horn should say “pardon me, but do you see me?”, rather than “get out of my way!”
86. Overdo empathy
87. Light candles in your home
88. Go for walks in the park on Sunday
89. Give others sincere compliments
90. Understand your own worth
91. Learn how to open a bottle of champagne
92. Dress appropriately for the occasion
93. Do small favours for others, without expecting anything in return
94. Say please and thank you
95. Take the time to stop and listen to others, especially children
96. Take responsibility for yourself and your own happiness
97. Keep a journal
98. Give thoughtful gifts, rather than expensive ones
99. Less is more
100. Savour the moment