Home Updates, Accessories & Tours

Simple Christmas Details

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I can’t believe Christmas is just in a few short weeks! It came too fast but I am ready. My local grocery store had small poinsettias on sale really cheap. So I purchased a few and placed them all over the house. It makes it look so festive and I like the idea of having real plants around our home. Below are some photos of my home and also watch the video from Mrs. Nikki. I love her ideas about simple tips to make your home festive. Enjoy!!!

My poinsettia in my sitting room. I just placed it in my vase from T.J. Maxx.

Our family room has 3 full size Christmas trees and each one has a different theme.

I placed this poinsettia on my nightstand in my gold vase I found at the thrift store.

This is my reading area in our bedroom.

My poinsettia on my island in my kitchen.




Our dining room table. 




To watch it on your mobile click here.
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Home Tour with Timothy Corrigan

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I first heard of Timothy Corrigan on the Quintessence blog earlier this year. Stacy Bewkes and Susanna Salk were able to video a home tour with Timothy in his chateau. It is absolutely stunning!!! Timothy also wrote a book about his renovation and decor process for this chateau. An Invitation to Chateau du Grand-Luce: Decorating a Great French County House is a wonderful story of the restoration of this home. Amazon will allow you to view the “inside” of this glorious book. Below is the home tour with Susanna Salk, as always enjoy!




(photo via Timothy Corrigan’s Instagram)

(photo via Timothy Corrigan.com)



To watch the video on your mobile click here. 
(video via Youtube)

Faux Poinsettias

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I was watching QVC one evening during the holidays last year and one of my favorite hosts’ Lisa Robertson decorated the stage for Christmas. On that day they were selling faux poinsettias. Lisa had the poinsettias on the side of the staircase and I just loved the way it looked.

So I went to my local Joann Fabrics and purchased about six faux poinsettias for under $25! I put them by my staircase and I just adore the way it looks. If you can get your hands on some faux poinsettias by all means give it a try! They won’t leave a mess and are pet friendly! Lastly, below is a video of Lisa decorating her home for Christmas. Enjoy!
My poinsettias at home

If you wish to watch this from your mobile click here.

Christmas Plates

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I have been on the hunt for Christmas plates since this spring! It has been really hard trying to find something affordable and beautiful. Last month I was doing some shopping in Walmart (not fun) & just looking around when I spotted these plates below.

They are from the Better Homes & Gardens collection. I just loved them! They were affordable and very pretty! I have gotten plenty of compliments on them and I am very pleased with them. I used them for our Thanksgiving meal and I will be using them throughout this winter for dinner. 
As I said before, “always use your best”. My family and I will enjoy these plates all winter long! My photos are below as usual. Enjoy!!  
My table setting during Thanksgiving

They are from Better Homes & Gardens Heritage Collection 2014. 

The dinner plate

(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Our Barbie Christmas Tree

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I love Christmas and I have started to decorate for it. I put up about 4 Christmas trees each year. One of my favorites is the Barbie Christmas tree. I started buying Barbie ornaments about 10 years ago. They sold them at the Hallmark store but they discontinued the line about 2 years ago. My mother in law has a Barbie Christmas tree that she started about 30 years ago and was the inspiration for mine.

I wanted my daughter to have a Barbie Christmas tree. I wanted something to pass along to her. She loves it and so do I! I wish the Hallmark store still sold them. We were very sad when the stopped. Below are some photos of it. Enjoy!! 
Our Barbie Christmas Tree!!

I love our pink star. I found it at T.J. Maxx for $6 a few years ago!



I love the ornaments. I love the pearl garland I found at Menards. 
My daughter found the Barbie Dorothy one at an antique store. 

These ornaments are The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Brave, Fancy Nancy, 
& Cinderella. 




This ornament was a great find! I purchased this at the Hallmark store.
It’s a giant Barbie head with hair accessories . The Barbie in tweed is great also!

In this photo is Barbie the Rockstar, Cinderella, the shoe chandelier, 
& my Victorian home. 

The “Good Witch” from the Wizard of Oz. 

Another shoe chandelier and candy house.  





I forgot which Barbie’s these were but both are beautiful. 
I love the Barbie closet ornament. So chic….

And last but certainly not least the poodle skirt that sits under the tree.
I love it!



(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Fuzzy Throws Around the Home

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Since November is here and we know that winter is on it’s way, it’s time to pull out the warm fuzzy throws. I love having them around my home. My daughter and two step-sons enjoy them also. They are so affordable now.

T.J. Maxx has tons of them! This is my favorite store for home decor. I have about 5 throws around the home. They add warmth and texture to any room and it is so easy to grab one and snuggle up with a cup of tea or hot cocoa. Here are a few photos of my throws. I hope you can find some for your home. Enjoy!!!
My throw from Von Maur. It was free with a $35 purchase. Yeah me!

My leopard throw. I found it at a thrift store. 

This throw is in my office over my chair. I love it! I found it at T.J. Maxx.



This throw is in the family room. My step-sons fight over this one. 
It covers the whole body and is so soft. I found it a T.J. Maxx.
I love the blue and white!
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Home Tour with Alex Papachristidis

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I didn’t know much about Alex Papchristidis but after I saw his home tour I wanted to know more! Oh my goodness his home is gorgeous! I now follow him on Instagram and I am learning more about his book The Age of Elegance. Amazon will let you “look inside” for a sneak peek. It is gorgeous! Enjoy the home tour and check out his page. Enjoy!!


(photo via Alex’s Instagram page)

( photographer Tria Giovan)
Alex’s book. I will be getting a copy!
To watch this on your mobile click here.
(video via Quintessence)