Home Updates, Accessories & Tours

Ideas for Holiday Decorating

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Christmas is coming soon and I know that for the most part all of our homes are decorated. But I still love getting new ideas and seeing new projects that people put together. Also, we all know that I love lists! Victoria Magazine just published a list for holiday ideas and I just wanted to share a few….

1) Offer a warm welcome to visitors…..
Have your guest open the door to beautiful decor and fresh greenery. I will have to try this.
My kitchen
2) Follow a color palette that speaks to you….
For the last few years, I have really been drawn to red. And now since I have been collecting blue and white that color palette has been added to my Christmas decor. 
My office
3) Illuminate your environs
Christmas lights and candle light bring softness to our homes and space. 
My home
4) Honor cherished collections
Grouping family heirlooms and treasures together gives some families comfort and joy.
5) Display favorite ornaments
I love pulling out our favorite Barbie ornaments each year. I started collecting these when my daughter was one. She said that she will always treasure these. 
Our Barbie tree


I really loved these ideas and found some new ways of adding some more special ideas to our home for the next holiday season. If you would like to read the rest of the article you may see it here.
Enjoy!!!
(photos Mrs. Shockley & Victoria Magazine)

Autumn Candles ~ 2017

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Okay, I recently posted about Bath and Body Works Essential Oil Candle collection (see here if you missed it) but now their autumn collection has just debuted and I have some favorites that I picked up already.

Black Cherry Merlot
This is great. I have it in my car and a room spray. The dark cherry is so scrumptious and woody. 
Peppermint
I love peppermint scents. They put me in such a Christmas mood. 
Tokyo Petals
Cherry Blossoms and Strawberries
Autumn Apricot
This has been my absolute favorite! It has been so hard finding it in stores! I found one in one location and the other all the way across town! I don’t know why but they are so elusive. 
Rose Water & Ivy
Very nice and subtle. 
Well, I hope you enjoyed my autumn candle suggestions. They are lots more on the website for you to review and ponder. Enjoy!!!!

(photos via BathandBodyworks.com)

The Enchanted Home~ Christmas Ornaments

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I have been a fan of Tina’s The Enchanted Home since 2014. She has a beautiful blog and wonderful shopping website for those of us who are fans of blue and white. My friend recently shared with me her purchase from Tina. She bought some blue and white ginger jar ornaments.

They are so lovely. I just had to buy some.


I was able to purchase 2 of these. They are mini ginger jars. They are quite large and fantastic!



Blue and White Ornaments


I wanted these too but I believe they sold out quickly!

(UPDATE ~ they have been restocked, hurry!)






If you have a chance go and check out her website and blog. You will truly be inspired. 

(photos via Mrs. Shery)

H & M Home Decor

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I am a dedicated shopper at H & M but what I did not know was that they have a home collection! I was totally surprised when I visited the website.

So I decided to share a few of my favorite home decor items from the site!

Large Braided Storage Basket
Tall Candlestick
Tall Metal Vase
Small Metal Tray
Satin Duvet Cover Set
Velvet Cushion Cover
Comes in 4 colors!
Porcelain Teapot
Lots of home decor accessories for really great prices! I hope that some of the items will show up in the stores soon! I would love to see them in person. Enjoy!!!!

(photos via H&M)

The Overflow of Decor

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I know that most of us love home decor. I know I do! I started my home decor shopping when I was in college. I went to a two-year community college here in my city and worked a full-time job. I was a legal assistant and had gotten hired on my 20th birthday! I will never forget it. Best gift ever because I knew at that moment that I could get my own place!!!

So over the years I have accumulated many decor items and have kept some of them. Once we got our first home I started buying organizing tubs to keep everything in. And now the collection just keeps growing….

Some of my curtains. I purchased these over 10 years ago. 
More linens
I have chair covers, table linens, tassels, pillow cases and the list just goes on and on. 
Pictures….

Picture frames
This I found recently. It is a Giorgio Armani velvet hat box that I paid only $10 for!
Wonderful! 

Beautiful blue and white vase that I took to my office
And these lovely pink blush pillows. 



I also have lamps and vintage rugs in my decor closet. It is hard to keep organized but I enjoy it. I love home decor and will continue to collect. I have been know to give away some of my items in my decor closet. I just believe that your home should be beautiful. Whatever that beauty is to you. Enjoy your home and collect!!!!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A Fancy Horse Barn

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I love home tours just as much as the next but I have never seen a horse barn this fancy. My goodness….

This barn belongs with a home on 40-acre property and was white and green aluminum. The property was purchased by a former professional baseball player and his wife. I am glad that the gave the designer Annie Brahler-Smith free reign because it turned out great!

photo credit Bjorn Wallander
Love the chandelier and the vintage distressed leather chairs!
photo credit Bjorn Wallander

The leather trucks hold cleaning supplies
photo credit Bjorn Wallander

The handle to the door is an old brass mail slot!
photo credit Bjorn Wallander


The vintage Louis Vuitton leather trunk serves as a side table.
photo credit Bjorn Wallander

This is a Hermes jumping saddle. A gift to the wife.
Stupendous! 
photo credit Bjorn Wallander

The family’s Arabian horse grazes out front…
photo credit Bjorn Wallander
So lovely. The table was built out of 700-year-old Syrian oak beams!
photo credit Bjorn Wallander
Such a beautiful tour and renovation. To read the original article see it here. I hope that you enjoyed this tour just as much as me!


(photos via House Beautiful)

Suzanne Kasler House Tour

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I love Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler’s work but when I read her book and found out that she is an Indianapolis native that made me love her all the more. Here is a beautiful home that she decorated in my new love blue and white. I hope you enjoy looking at these photos just as much as I did….



photo credit Francesco Lagnese
photo credit Francesco Lagnese
This is a fetching runner in the entry’s staircase. Suzanne said that it was “fresh, fun and dramatic”. I couldn’t agree more.
photo credit Francesco Lagnese
Love the blue and white and the vintage tree lamps.
photo credit Francesco Lagnese
The lattice backed chairs are from her chair line. The curtains are Brunschwig & Fils satin with Houles trim. Just dreamy….

photo credit Francesco Lagnese
The Hermes throw….
photo credit Francesco Lagnese
Now, this room stopped me in my tracks. I love the slipcovers for the chairs at the island. They are Nancy Corzine linen with cording and buttons in a Ralph Lauren linen. 

I adore the armchairs in the Elizabeth Benefield linen. Just stunning….
photo credit Francesco Lagnese

Now this took some courage. But the color looks great. It called “shrinking violet” by PPG Porter Paints. 
photo credit Francesco Lagnese
photo credit Francesco Lagnese
The linens are so elegant. They are also from Nancy Corzine. 
photo credit Francesco Lagnese

The wallpaper. Ahh, tres chic! It is called Boussac’s tarantelle wallpaper. 
photo credit Francesco Lagnese


A nook in the master bathroom becomes a practical space for a custom vanity. 
There’s that gorgeous wallpaper again!
Well, I hope you enjoyed this tour. To see the original article view it here.
(photos via HouseBeautiful.com)