Home Updates, Accessories & Tours

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)

Refreshing Your Bed

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I love climbing into a nice cozy bed every night. But what really makes it nice is when your bed smells wonderful. Over the last several years, I have always sprayed my bed with some sort of linen spray. I especially love anything floral.



I am always excited when I come across home-keeping videos on YouTube. I loved these two videos from One Kings Lane about how to refresh your bed. I hope you get some ideas. Enjoy!

Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

To watch how to Refresh your Bed click here.
(photos via google)

Multiples of Things ~TKW

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I mentioned before on here that I loved the book by Ted Kennedy Watson called “Style and Simplicity”.  On page 102 he mentioned how he loves “Multiples of Things”.  He says the following:

THINK OF STRENGTH IN NUMBERS on this one. A few bowls hung up in a row is pretty, but quite a few bowls hung up in a row is even prettier. Multiples of one type of object are such a strong visual. Think of a fireplace mantel covered with candlesticks. When you use a good number of the same object, the eye looks at the collective whole as one, and you can create a really stunning display of items. Think also of a dining table filled with clear drinking glasses, each glass filled with a tulip. From the simple to the grand, mass a collection together of awesome visual impact.

I couldn’t agree more and he is right. When I see multiples of things I do see it as one. How clever! So when I have two or three vases filled with flowers together I no longer feel like it’s too much. I feel like this looks really grand…. Thank you Ted!

My blue and white vases at home. 

Ted Kennedy Watson’s table. Gorgeous white dahlias!

Another one of Ted’s tables! Multiples….

My peony arrangements this past summer. Multiples….





A photo from Ted’s store. He even puts all of his items in multiples and it looks splendid!



(all photos via my own and Ted Kennedy Watson.com)

My Favorite Glassware

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I have been on this glassware hunt for some time now. I wanted some nice, dishwasher safe glasses to use every day. I was visiting One Kings Lane and I saw these fantastic “bee goblets”. Well, at that time I could not purchase them. They were a little steep in price. But that afternoon I went over to T.J. Maxx and what did I find? You guessed it the “bee goblets” for $2.99 a glass!

So I jumped with joy on the inside and quietly took them upfront to pay for them. I have been adding glasses here and there to my collection. I am very happy with it so far. My step-son’s even use my goblets which I think is fantastic!  So below is my collection of glasses and also check out my China & Transferware Board on Pinterest. It’s filled with beautiful inspiration. Enjoy!

My bee goblets. I use these everyday!




My green goblets. My mother in law gave me these. 

All of my glasses and goblets I use. 

These cups are Cynthia Rowley

More Cynthia Rowley items. 





These leaf glasses were a gift from my mother in law 
for my birthday. They come in a set of 16. 






My mother in law was doing some cleaning and decided to give me these also.
I love them! Especially, the detailed handle. So chic!
(all photos above are my own)




Love this beautiful glass below and table setting. 

Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash


Bedroom Bouquets

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I love having a fresh vase of flowers in the bedroom. It just adds something special to that special place. I know for me after all is done for the day there is nothing like getting in my bed and smelling lilies right next to me. I always make sure that I have at least 2 vases of fresh flowers in my home.

Whenever we have people over or if my girlfriends come upstairs they always comment on my flowers in the bedroom. I think it brings a nice and elegant presence to the space. It is also a wonderful way to bring color into your room. Below is a video from One Kings Lane. I love this arrangement that she makes and you will too. Enjoy!

My bouquet of Queen-Anne Lace in our bedroom. 




How to Create a Bedroom Arrangement – YouTube

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