Posts that inspiring an elegant life

My Fourth FBMP Purchase

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Good Morning,

Gotta love these short work weeks. They always seem to feel longer to me. Lauren is out of school so I feel like I got my life back a bit. I am always waiting on her to leave in the morning and go to bed at night so it has delayed my schedule for so long that now I am in “schedule shock” a bit. Now when it’s late at night I have to catch myself and tell myself to start to get ready for bed. In the morning, I have to tell myself, “okay Lauren is not in school, get ready early”. It’s been quite an adjustment, but I am ready to be back on my own schedule for once. I have not had my own schedule in 20 years, literally! Life is certainly going to be different in the next few months. 

Not only is life changing but so is my home. I am now on FBMP so much looking for vintage pieces. I can’t get enough of Facebook Marketplace. I think I finally fixed my algorithm. It has taken me some time, but I now have vintage pieces showing up in my feed that I would purchase instead of junk. I think FBMP is a great source to use to discover or locate those vintage pieces that you can’t find in stores or even online. I was inspired to look for a vintage floral divider last year when I saw the photo below on Jenny from Tallwood Country House’s Instagram account. 

 

photo credit: Tallwood Country House (Instagram)

 

When I saw this on her reels I knew that I had to have one in some form for myself. It took me a while to find something. I typed the words “vintage floral divider” in the search menu for months and then something appeared. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

THIS! And it was located in my city only 30 minutes away! I saved it and waited another week before I messaged the seller. It is all wood and hand painted. I just loved the floral design and the birds. Also the light green color or sage is a perfect fit in my home office with my pale green settee that I just purchased a few weeks ago on Facebook Marketplace. 

 

 

When I went to pick it up she had her garage door open and it was FULL of antiques! I turned and looked at her and said, “now what do you do?” She then proceeded to tell me that people hire her to help them downsize their estates! She helps them get organized and then sells their items on FBMP. She had chandeliers from France, dividers from Asian, vintage furniture from Pottery Barn, I mean it was marvelous!  I can’t believe that I keep finding these people on FBMP who have access to all these wonderful pieces, but I am so grateful that the Lord allows me to. Get busy searching your city for vintage furniture or antique pieces to fill our home. You never know who you may meet. To read my other FBMP purchases you may see it here and here. 

Please don’t forget that the boutique is still having a spring sale! Use code spring15 for 15% off of your entire order and that includes the Vintage Vanity Collection. I hope you all have a great weekend! 

 

 

Always Elegant Living- 5 Hobbies that You Need

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Good Morning Everyone,

My busy month of May is halfway complete. I still have lots on my calendar! I will be leaving this upcoming Monday. I am headed to Columbia, South Carolina for a work trip next week. I will be networking and getting training with other paralegal supervisors. I am really looking forward to that. Then Lauren will be graduating! I can’t believe it! It will truly be a celebration for her!

I have been meaning to share my recent favorite podcasts with you all. So I started to search for podcasts that I would enjoy and I put in certain search words in my Spotify app. I put in the word “elegant” and “women’s health”. I ended up finding “Women in the Middle: Loving Life After 50″ and “The Always Elegant Living” Podcast with Ashley Brown. Now I listen to both of these completely free and have been enjoying them on my morning walks. 

Last week during one of my walks, Ashley Brown from the Always Elegant Living Podcast mentioned a meme that she saw regarding “the 5 Hobbies that you need and I just had to share it!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

The first hobby is to have something that makes you money:

I thought about this and asked myself, “do I have a hobby that makes me money”? I do! Well the blog makes a small amount each month, my commission on the LTK app, and the boutique. Now all of these hobbies are not making me a fortune, but they help keep A Home for Elegance running. The money is used to pay for my website fees, orders for the boutique, taxes, business fees, and supplies. I don’t take a salary from any of these but it keeps my small business running! 

 

The second hobby is something to keep you in shape:

My hobby is of course my morning walks. I started walking in the mornings in 2021. I don’t know why but I thought I would give it a try. My workout before then was some workout videos on Youtube but I just got tired of them and being in the house. I wanted a new setting but I refused to go to the gym. I hate the gym! It’s just a meat market and if I do go I want a trainer so that I can stay focused on my workout. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

Royal Kingdom Scarf 90 (Sarah Flint)

 

 

The third hobby is something that helps you stay creative:

I have so many activities that help me to stay creative. This blog for one was the number one thing. I started this in 2014 as a way to share beautiful things that I love and to document it. I always come to my website and search for things that I have written about to remind me of my ideas. I love my blog! I love antiquing and this helps me to create a beautiful environment at home. I love having a beautiful home and antiquing is a way for me to create it. Instagram is another platform for me to be creative. It’s hard work trying to make sure that your content is different from everyone else but it keeps me inspired. 

 

The fourth hobby is something to build your knowledge:

I read and listen to lots of things. I read my bible and lots of other books. I listen to podcasts every day! Building your knowledge is something that we should take seriously. I have always wanted to be someone who could talk to anyone or listen. I read a lot of self-help books, leadership books, magazines, and home decor. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

Teatime Discipleship 

 

And the last hobby that you should have needs to be something that grows your mindset:

For this hobby I would agree with Ashley that listening to podcasts has been helping me to grow my mindset and networking. I remember going on one of my morning walks and I spoke out loud, “I want to network”. Once I said that the gates were opened to me. I joined the Guild, got accepting on the DOJ EARS Evaluation Team, have been asked to attend lunches, joined the state’s Paralegal Association, and lots of other things have happened. In regard to podcasts, I have been listening to Women in the Middle, Maxwell Leadership, The Career Contessa, The Wall Street Journal, Suze Orman’s Women & Money, and a few others. 

All of these resources have been growing my mindset and educating me on so many things. One of the podcasts from the Women in the Middle talked about farting! Yes farting and honestly I learned so much about health and laugh while listening to that podcast. It was great! 

I hope these tips will help you to look at your life and encourage you to add some of these hobbies to it. Life can be beautiful if we live it with purpose. Enjoy! 

 

 

This post contains affiliate links. 

 

 

Beauty Lessons from Living in Paris ~ Thoughts on Elegance Series

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Good Morning,

I am so ready for the weekend! Tomorrow is my last Showhouse shift. I am looking forward to it. It has a really bittersweet kind of feeling. On one hand I am so excited to be there and on the other hand I am so tired! My weekends have been so full because of the schedule. Sunday is Mother’s Day and I really don’t even want to leave my house! But I will. There are some things that I need to get from Lowes. I really need to get my porch cleaned up and I really want some new furniture for my porch. I will be sure to update you all if I purchase anything! 

 

In my quest to find information for my “Thoughts on Elegance series”, I recently stumbled on to this article about what living in Paris has done to this antiques owner from America. I have been following the author of this article since 2020 and I am in love with her antiques account Madame de la Maison. 

 

Aki with her signature red lips.

photo credit: Ajiri Aki

Ajiri wrote a wonderful article about how living in France has changed her views on beauty. I especially loved how honest she was in the beginning of the article. She said, “In 2011, I moved to Paris with a $700 weave and green contact lenses camouflaging my dark brown eyes. I was chasing the superstar-meets-supermodel look I aspired to throughout my twenties when I lived in New York City. I lusted after luscious flowing locks like Beyoncé’s and a long, lean body like Naomi’s. (I tried each and every fad diet to attain that body—most of which required severely unhealthy calorie restrictions and pungent elixirs that left me in a rotten mood for days). What’s more: I hated my wide nose and gap teeth and spent hours researching possibilities to change them”. 

Wow…. I read that paragraph over and over. I think we all have been there. Trying to be something that we are not. You have to finish reading the article. It is truly eye opening and inspiring. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I ordered Ajiri’s new book called Joie A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life. I have been reading it for a week. You guys it is so good! She is really honest about her life in France.

She gives tips and locations on how to enjoy Paris as well. I hope you read the article in Vogue and let me know your thoughts! Have a wonderful weekend! 

 

 

My Third FBMP Purchase ~ Pale Green Settee

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Good Morning Everyone,

What a busy weekend! We had our neighborhood HOA sale this weekend. A few things have sold out from the boutique and have been removed from the site. Lauren went to prom and she ended up having a great time! On Sunday I had another showhouse duty shift. It was very crowded despite the pouring rain that we had. I am completely wiped out! This week at work will be pretty busy as well as my upcoming Saturday. It will be my last showhouse shift. We take a break off for the summer. I do plan on having lunch with the ladies in my group once a month and next year’s house has already been chosen! I can’t wait to see it. I will be sure to share some photos from this year’s home. 

As you can see by the title, I have found another treasure on Facebook Marketplace! I have been looking for a new settee for office as well as a new desk chair, and bookcases. I have a few things saved on my list but saw this beautiful settee and had to reach out!

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

When it appeared in my newsfeed, I took a big sigh! I was so beautiful, and the price was only $175! I could not believe it! I messaged her right away! As I waited for her to message me back, I began to study the color and the beautiful wood. I love the pale green color. It’s something different and unique yet elegant. When she reached back she told me that it was available and that I could come by her warehouse to pick it up. Wait a sec? You have a warehouse? There’s more!???

 

 

She told me to come to Violet Vintage Rentals and when I walked in my mouth hit the floor! So many beautiful, vintage pieces, and china! Turns out that her and her husband have a party rental company that allows you to rent their beautiful furniture for your parties. I have my eye on those white and gold shelves. 

 

 

Isn’t it stunning!? I can’t believe that I found this by buying an item from Facebook Marketplace. 

 

 

There were rows and rows of vintage teacups, china, elegant vases, vintage mirrors, and other elegant props. You can borrow it all for your parties. 

 

 

And every so often, they have garage sales! They had one this past Friday, but I could not go! I was so frustrated. These two pale green chairs are for sale on FBMP right now. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

Of course, I could not leave without my pale green vintage settee. There was a man there by the name of Richard who worked on their restoration projects. He restored this settee. He told me that it was from the 1920s! I could not believe my ears. I could not wait to get it home and put it in my office. It fits perfectly and I love looking at it from my desk. 

 

 

The scallop detail on the back is amazing! I wish I had a better way of showing it but I don’t at this time. This settee has hardly any damage to it. I adore it with each passing day. 

All I can say is FBMP is becoming my source to find furniture for my home. I usually can’t find things in the store. It’s usually too modern or has the farmhouse look which is something that I am not interested in. 

I have about 10 more items saved on my FBMP list. I will be going back to Violet Vintage Rentals for their garage sales. I don’t think that I could continue to pass those up! Let me know in the comments section below if you have purchased from FBMP! I am curious about your finds.

I also wanted to let everyone know that I only have a few more dresses in the boutique. The inventory is getting very low on some of the dresses. I only have two Daphne Flutter Dresses, and only two of the Maggie Stripe Mid Dresses. I did add a size 3x to the list in the mauve and white. It does have a sewing defect on the right sleeve and is on sale for $15. I do plan on trying to get some more inventory, but we will see. Enjoy our day! 

 

 

Adding Something New…

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Good Morning Everyone,

I hope everyone is well! I have been so busy the last few days trying to get things done for Lauren. Our college list is full of to-dos! I am also gearing up for the Showhouse. It is done and the house tours start next Saturday! I am nervous but excited at the same time. My mother-in-law’s birthday is next week, and I am still trying to get her birthday gifts. She is so hard to purchase for. There are a lot of events coming up and I am just trying to make sure that I stay on top of everything. 

I received a great response on my recent Instagram poll about adding the vintage Elizabeth Arden beauty jars! I wanted to give you guys a sneak peek below. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

Beautiful, aren’t they? What I learned is that they date back to the 1970’s -1980’s era. I am still trying to find out more information on them. I think that they are so beautiful and if you love a beautiful vanity like me then having one of these is perfect for you. They will be on the website soon! Have a great weekend! 

 

 

A Desk Update

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Good Morning,

Everything is in full bloom here! My Canadian choke cherry tree is blooming and so are my lilac bushes! My peonies are coming up as well! I’ve got the Peony festival scheduled on my calendar. I hope we can attend this year!

Lauren’s college visit went very well. There is a lot that we have to do. She got to see the campus, her potential dorm room, and meet her Art Director! It was a very productive day. I on the other hand, got a new delivery recently…

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was my desk in my office. It is actually my dining room table from my first apartment in 2002! I have been using it as a desk all this time. It has been great. It has provided me with the space that I needed and saved me a lot of money! Most of you know that I have been on the hunt for a new desk for some time now. I have been collecting office inspiration for a few years now and I am still trying to find items and decor pieces that fit into my style and what I need. 

 

 

I went back to the furniture store that I purchased my new dining room table and dresser from and found the desk version of my table! 

 

 

I do love it. It is called the Charthouse Office Desk and I got it on sale 2 months ago! I got a steal! It’s not on sale now so I am really happy that I got it while it was. 

 

 

It has so much table space. I love having all this room. I can actually do some paperwork in my office and write! I have never had that before. My old dining room table was not big enough if you can believe that. Also, the color goes so well with my office decor. My office is my next project area. I am trying to wait until the kids go to college. I can’t believe that I am staying that but they both will be going in the fall. My stepson is taking his furniture in his bedroom so I can finally clear out his room! Yay! I am going to move some things in there and get rid of some other items. I can’t wait to purge both of their rooms! 

Another idea that I have been thinking of is adding vintage pieces to sell from my antiquing adventures to my website. This past Sunday I found these gorgeous vintage Elizabth Arden vanity jars. 

 

They had “made exclusively for Elizabeth Arden in Japan” on most of the porcelain jars. I had to buy two!

 

 

Gorgeous! Now my question to you all is if I went back and purchased a few more of the jars and added them to my website would you purchase any? Let me know in the comments section below! 

 

Easter Sunday & A New Recipe

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Good Morning!

Happy Friday Morning! We are headed to our daughter’s future college today! They are having a “welcome freshman” kind of day and we want to get a head start on events and deadlines to come. Wish us luck! I have a feeling it is going to be a busy day.

I am still thinking about my Easter dinner. It turned out to be such a great day with family. We really sat and enjoyed ourselves. I love sitting at the table and just enjoying a meal. Hearing how the boys are “adulting” now has been so interesting. Hearing them discuss marriage and families had been eye opening! I am always praying they God will lead them in their decisions. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

This year I added more rabbits to my decor. I purchased the gold rabbit from the At Home Store. He is actually on sale right now for only $10! Get it while you can! 

 

 

I really did experiment with my table setting this year. I brought in my blue and white of course and I wanted to use my lily plates from Pender and Peony but I didn’t have enough. They sure did look great on my table while it lasted. I matched them with my lily goblets from Pottery Barn. It looked so pretty!  

My family wanted turkey and dressing this year so that is what I made along with some mashed potatoes and green beans. We love dinner rolls so I baked some of those as well. Now for dessert I made Jennifer L. Scott’s black forest cake!

 

 

I was really nervous about making this cake because I have never made anything like this nor have I tried it. Baking the cakes was really easy. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

I think most of the trouble and time went into making the whipped cream frosting. I have never made this before, so I was quite nervous. It took about 10 minutes to finally get stiff but once it did, I felt relieved. 

 

 

I added the cherry pie filing right from the can and putting it together was so easy! I am so glad that I tried this!

 

 

I LOVED the way it looked! I thought it was so pretty! It was simple, tasted good, and was elegant. What more could you want for a beautiful celebration?  I hope you all try Jennifer’s cake and let me know in the comments section below if you have already made black forest cake? Let me know if there are different things that I could add. I would love to read your comments. Have a great weekend!