Home Updates, Accessories & Tours

My First House Shift ~ The Guild

/2 Comments/in /by

 

 

Well Hello to February!

It’s already February 3rd! I am trying to plan my month, but things are up in the air since I got ANOTHER summons for jury duty, and I don’t know the status of my car yet. It is at the collision center, and it will be fixed I just don’t know when I will be getting it back. Our rental is nice but it’s a little too big for me. My husband is enjoying it for sure!

This weekend I have a little bit of running around to do. Lauren has her hair appointment and I need to go and get a few things. I am on the hunt now for a hair stylist. I do miss going to the salon at least once a month, so the hunt has begun.  

Last weekend I got to do something fun. We have started our house shift duties for this year’s Showhouse. The demolition has started on the Showhouse for the year (my Guild group) and the contractors and designers are showing up! My shift was only 4 hours and during that 4 hours you sign in the contractors and designers as they arrive. We have some light housekeeping to do, and we wrap up the light fixtures as they take them down. The other fun thing is seeing the house before and after the changes. Right now, some of the old decor and accessories are still up. I can’t show pictures of everything, but these two things caught my eye. 

 

photo credit Mrs. Shockley

 

So this Venetian mirror is in the downstairs bathroom. I love but I think it is going to be taken down and a new mirror will be going up. Such a beautiful feature!

 

 

 

This wallpaper was a second! I just love all of the different chinoiserie jars on this wallpaper. Now how fun is that? I know that this is not staying which is another reason why I wanted to capture it before they took it down. So lovely!

My next house shift duty is not until the end of this month. If I am allowed, I will share another detail that I like. Have a great weekend everyone! 

 

 

Don’t forget to shop the boutique! Dresses are still under $30! Valentine’s Day is approaching! 

Trying to Stay in Beauty

/4 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Good Morning Everyone,

Sighing…. It has been a long weekend. Nothing really bad just dealing with people. Today I get to take my car to the collision center finally! Driving around my car with dirt on it and with all the damage from the accident has not been fun! But I keep reminding myself that I am still blessed despite the issues going on. 

I was recently inspired by something….

 

photo via Pinterest

 

I saw this photo on Pinterest and it inspired me to pull out an antique that I purchased some time ago and use it. Do you see the silver container with the Q-tips in it?

 

photo via Mrs. Shockley 

 

I realized that I had something similar to that and decided to pull it out and use it! Now how great is that? I love it! But something also triggered me looking at it. This past weekend my family and I were eating dinner a Chic fil A and my husband noticed a table with two women sitting there. For some reason they were staring at us and had their noses turned up. My husband became irritated but then realized that we can just ignore it. I could not. I then became infuriated and wanted to confront both women at the table. 

I slowly began to talk to myself in my mind and began to rehearse and remember certain scriptures that encouraged me. We then got up from our table and began to walk toward them because we were leaving the restaurant. Once I passed them one with the attitude gave me what I call a “fake smirk”. I then cut my eyes at her and continue to walk. When I turned around, I saw her eyes follow my daughter. I mean she turned her head all the way around! I felt myself turning into the Incredible Hulk! 

I talked myself into leaving and getting into my car but I am going to be honest I wanted to go right back in the restaurant go right up to her face and ask her what her problem was! I have just about had it with women and their attitudes, and it is getting worse! I went to sleep still angry about the situation and woke up the next day feeling horrible. Then I walked by my new antique Q-tip holder. I saw how beautiful it was next to my sink and at the moment I realized who I was. 

I was a woman who created a life built on beauty and elegance and I was letting a stupid moment like that get the best of me and I didn’t like that. I felt defeated for a moment but then I was reminded that I did not act on it. She didn’t win. I did. Because I was the leader, and she was following me. Not the other way around. I remembered Jennifer L. Scott’s quote, ‘be too big too care”. I need to make that my word of the year. People are just nasty in so many ways. I know that the Lord is helping me to find balance in beauty and firmness. I want to be firm when needed and remain in beauty at all times. What are your thoughts? Any recent issues for any of you? Let me know in the comments section below and put out those beautiful antiques to use. Enjoy them!

 

 

New Soundings… An Antique Store!

/2 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Good Morning,

These Fridays are coming fast! This weekend I just have a few errands to run. On Wednesday I went to Woodhouse Spa to have my monthly pedi and also got my first facial! It was a dream! I have made a decision that when family or friends ask what I want for my birthday or any other celebration I will be saying a gift card toward services at Woodhouse! I loved it!

I may also consider having them give me gift cards to my favorite antique stores. I found a new one recently. It is called Surroundings.  My husband had suggested it to me a while ago, but it just didn’t look like it had anything. Boy was I wrong!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

As soon as you walked in it was wonderful blue and white ginger jars everywhere! And they were not the cheap ones either! 

 

 

Then I turned around and saw this dreamy display! I wanted practically everything on it. Especially the one with the gold accents. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

A gentleman by the name of Gary owned the store. He said that he had been there for years and gets new shipments every other week. He had artwork, vintage chandeliers, porcelain lamps, beautiful rugs, and vintage furniture. Every nook and cranny was packed with vintage finds. 

 

 

I circled the store 3 times. Yes 3 times! I could not help it. Every time I came around I found something new to look at. 

 

 

There were so many things that I wanted. Including this beautiful green ginger jar. Isn’t it a lovely color?

 

 

After talking with the store owner and walking around a few more times it was time to make a few purchases. I got the gold leaf frame, bubble bee, Hermes inspired card box and the Together at the Table book! I have not had a chance to look at the book but will be sure to share it soon. Oh I also purchased a Hermes inspired blanket.  I may share it in my January Favorites. 

Let me know what you think about the new store! I know that I will be returning again soon! I have some video footage of it as well and may share it on Instagram. 

Have a great weekend! 

 

 

An Elegant Bookstore…

/2 Comments/in , /by

 

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

Welcome to 2023! Honestly, I still cannot believe that I am still blogging! I am actually a little shocked! I do love it and trying to come up with new blog posts every week is a lot of work. It’s not easy that is for sure, but I do love it and I am glad that you all are still here. I hope your holidays were excellent. It went by rather quickly. Our holiday was great, but I am exhausted and still have another busy week. I was able to fit in some antiquing. I found a new store! OMG, I think it might be the best I have ever seen. I can’t wait to share it here on the blog very soon! 

Speaking of new stores, I did see an article recently about this new bookstore created out of an 1840s Greek Revival townhouse. I had to share this especially since many of you are readers.

 

photo credits: Sarah Winchester

 

Now how elegant is this? I would love to visit a bookstore that looked like this! It’s outstanding! I loved how the owner spoke about what her vision was. “I always envisioned that the store would be in a townhouse, and I could picture people wandering from floor to floor and exploring nooks and crannies,” says Melissa. “I wanted it to feel like you were in someone’s personal home.”

 

photo credit: Sarah Winchester

 

Now let’s talk about the decor. Melissa, the owner, reached out to her longtime interior designer Cathy Kincaid. Now how great is that? I love Cathy’s work! I am a huge fan and I am not surprised by how beautiful, sophisticated, and balance that each room has in this bookstore. I have watched Cathy’s recent video on Schumacher 1889’s channel more than I can count. 

Cathy decorated each room in her signature style. Lots of blue tones, with pops of red, different fabrics and textures. 

 

photo credit: Sarah Winchester

 

Now this was my favorite part of the bookstore. I love how Melissa added a special events component to the store. She said, “event planners have access to a variety of tablescapes, as well as the café’s curated specialty menus created by Chef Colleen Suhanosky. For those wanting a wine consultation, a sommelier from a nearby private club is available. In addition, the bookstore has engaged with floral designer Cailla Quinn of Ephemirus to create special arrangements tailored to each event.” 

I LOVE this don’t you? I think it is fabulous! It’s a very creative way to get customers into your bookstore and gives them another opportunity to use the space! I think it’s genius. You could have meetings here, host a book club, small bridal shower, anything! The parties are limitless. 

I do hope that you all enjoyed this beautiful new bookstore find and you can read the original article here. I will be sharing a recent article about myself here soon! I can’t believe it! Have a great Tuesday!

 

 

My Christmas Table Setting ~ 2022

/1 Comment/in , /by

 

 

Good Friday Morning and Happy New Year!

Wow it’s time for another year. We have so many changes upon us! Lauren will be going to prom soon and graduating from high school! We are about to apply for a college soon and I am just as nervous as she is. Keep us in your prayers. 

I am excited about her beginning her new journey. I am also excited for my stepson. This will be his last year in college, and he will officially be out on his own. He honestly doesn’t come home now so I am already making plans for his bedroom. Yay me!

Speaking of decorating and making changes I was so lost about how to decorate my table for Christmas this year. I went to my table linen cabinet and pulled out everything. It took me a few hours to get some inspiration but once I did the ideas just came….

 

 

I found this vine silk table cover and this hunter green cover in my linen cabinet. I had completely forgot about them both! I remember purchasing them from the antique store this past summer. So glad that I did. I think I only paid $5 each! 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

After that I added my candelabras. I found these at the antique store last year. Looking wonderful so far…

 

 

Next it was time to make a decision about vases and flower arrangements. I knew that I wanted to use smaller vases this year and I wanted to use more than one. These were in my vase cabinet, and I thought that they would be great using them as centerpieces. 

 

 

 

It was so fun putting these small arrangements together. I used astromelias and pine for my arrangements this year. I wanted different flowers to use but this turned out really good and these were under $20! I love it all grouped together in the center. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

I loved seeing all of the different colors and textures on my table. Once I finished the flower arrangements I decided to go and look for smaller items that I could add. I pulled this small ginger jar out of china cabinet. It seems as though it belonged on the table. 

 

 

Here it is up close. See all of the colors? Every color was at my table this year. It really belonged there. I paid under $10 for this at the antique store. 

 

 

 

Here is the finished product. I pulled out my Better Homes & Gardens Christmas plates. Now I know that these don’t belong, but I went ahead and added them anyway. I felt like my green tablecloth keep the red down it a minimum. 

The table looked so beautiful this year and I was so happy and proud of the work behind it. Shopping your home is the best thing that you can do. I am always amazed at what I find at home. You will see some new glasses here soon. Remember that video I shared about the anchor hocking goblets? Well I found some on eBay and made an offer and won! I only got 3 and will be on the hunt for 3 more! Wish me luck! If you are interested in buying some, I found a set here and here. 

 

 

Another great piece is this blue and white planter that my stepson and his girlfriend got me for Christmas! I do love it! I will be using it for flower arrangements of course. Let me know in the comments section below if you found any inspiration from my table setting. I do have fun creating this table and just find so much joy and creating beauty. I hope you all have a great weekend! Talk soon!

 

 

 

Refreshing My Christmas Ornaments

/in , /by

 

 

Good Morning Everyone,

My busy week has ended, and I can relax a little. Yesterday we had a retirement party for a dear co-worker of mine. It’s always bittersweet saying goodbye to someone that you have worked with for about 18 years! Time sure does fly! This weekend we are headed back to the Franklin Historical Theatre and this time we are going to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. My family loves this movie! I am not a big fan. Cousin Eddie drives me nuts, but my family gets a kick out of it. Christmas is next week, and I finally done Christmas shopping. I can now enjoy the holidays a little more. 

I think I shared in a previous post about how I wanted a more “sophisticated” look for my trees this year. I have been getting rid of a lot of old Christmas decorations and ornaments. I realized that when I opened my tubs this year and looked at my decorations, I was not happy. I was not excited about decorating because I did not like what I had and at that moment I knew that it was time to “refresh” my ornaments. 

So I went on the hunt for inspiration and new ornaments. 

 

 

This tree started my quest. I follow The Decor Diet on Instagram and the LTK and I saw this tree along with this gorgeous Christmas tree urn from Ballard Designs. I knew that I had to have it and luckily it was on sale!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I was so excited when it arrived and felt a wave of new inspiration come over me. Most of my ornaments were from my mother-in-law. Nothing wrong with it but they were just not me and I wanted my trees to display my style. 

 

 

We decided to put my white Christmas tree in it and I was so surprised at how great it looked! I purchased this tree from Walmart and adding this Christmas tree urn just gave it a more expensive and classic look. I added my blue and white ornaments from the Enchanted Home and my peacock ornaments from the At Home Store.  I still felt like more was needed so I started my hunt on Etsy for ribbon. 

 

 

I ended up finding this stunning ribbon from Etsy! My face lit up when I saw it. I knew that it was perfect for my tree! I am so happy with how everything turned out. Now I just need to get some practice putting it into my tree. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Then I turned my attention to our family tree. I got rid of a lot of the red. I just wanted more neutral colors for this tree. I went out and got more ornaments and found this beautiful ribbon from Katherine at Pender and Peony. I think it is a perfect fit!

 

 

Here is the top of the tree. I decided to add some poinsettias to the top. I loved the way that it turned out but I am still looking for inspiration. 

 

 

We still have our Barbie tree which I am not changing at this moment. I did get rid of some old ornaments from this tree, but Lauren decorated it. I thought she did a wonderful job! She loves having the poodle skirt under it. Sometimes it is a hassle but it really adds to the look. I did record a short video on my Youtube channel sharing my trees and some of Christmas decor. 

 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! The boutique is still having a sale! Everything is under $30! Take advantage and order a dress or two! 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving ~ 2022

/in , /by

 

Good Morning,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our holiday turned out great although I am exhausted! We kept things simple and enjoyed everyone’s company. We also sat and watch the sequel to A Christmas Story. It’s called a Christmas Story Christmas and you should check it out! It was quite good. I have been so busy at work and trying to get things done here at home that I feel like I am so behind on things. I normally have my Christmas shopping done, no worries, I am close but I feel like nothing is complete until that list is checked off! I am also going to be flying to San Diego in about another week, so I really need to get my schedule in order. 

This week is a busy one again! On Monday there will be lots of Cyber sales. I need to book a Christmas lunch at the Ayres Tea Room. You all know that we try to go there every year. On Tuesday I am taking my team to the Cake Bake Shop for lunch! We are all so excited! On Wednesday I have my fitting for the fashion show for my Guild Christmas luncheon and Lauren and I are going to see the Russian Nutcracker! Lots of exciting things that I hope to share in the next few days. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

This was my table setting this year. My local grocery store did not have a good selection of flowers this season. It was really hard trying to find inspiration. So I did the best that I could and used some astromelias and purple stock. Not what I had in mind but it worked out. 

 

 

My uncle and aunt gave me these beautiful crystal glasses and the tall crystal vases. It goes so well with the rest of my china.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

My caramel cake was a big hit again! You can make this by scratch or semi-homemade. I shared the recipe on the blog last year if you are interested. 

 

 

 

I love my gold turkey candle pedestal that I purchased from Bath & Body Works last year. I have tried finding it but I am sure it is sold out everywhere. I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. It certainly came and went fast. Below are a few of previous years Thanksgiving blog posts and don’t forget about the boutique’s Black Friday sale! Use code blackfriday22 for 15% off sitewide!

 

*A Quiet Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

November Favorites ~ 2020