Blog posts that inspire

A Forever Home…

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Good Morning,

You guys won’t believe this but we are expecting up to 3 inches of snow today! I could just scream but that’s Indiana for you. That is why I always wait to completely change my wardrobe over and work in the yard. It’s completely pointless….

But today is Friday and I am looking forward to the weekend. I know the clocks go forward as well. I always feel like I lose some of my life when that happens! That hour is everything and I mean everything. I am hoping that my nail salon finished its renovations. They were not opened last weekend and I have a feeling that they may have sold it! We will see….

I was on the Victoria website during my lunch break this week and saw an article about a “forever home”. This year I will be 40 which is still very young but I just keep thinking about how fast these years have gone by. It feels as though 20 years just zoomed right by me. I have been thinking about how long I want to work, and when I want to retire. I am trying to plan well.

I am always thinking about home life. I have been trying to see my later years in this home. I think my husband and I may have to find a one-level home down the road. 

 

photo credit: Stephanie W. Steele 

 

I love this photo. I see me and my husband having quiet dinners here. It will be a different life at that time for both of us. What about any of you? Are some of you living in your forever home right now? I would love to know what you love about your “forever home” and what you would not compromise on. I know for me having more space between me and my neighbors would be a wonderful thing. 

Have a great weekend! 

 

 

Be Inspired…

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Good Morning! 

I am ready for the weekend! We are taking Lauren and her bestie out to a Japanese Steakhouse for dinner tomorrow. We got Lauren a new sewing machine for her birthday. She is taking a fashion class at school and loves it. She has been making clothes and home accessories at school so we thought why not get her a machine for home. She is looking forward to creating things. We are going to head to JoAnn Fabrics this weekend to look around and find inspiration!

Speaking of inspiration I love seeing “life quotes”. I was on Pinterest recently and saw this quote below…

 

 

Wow, isn’t that powerful? How many times have we done this? I know I am guilty. Sometimes you just have to pull yourself back and pay attention. You wouldn’t take advice from someone who would criticize you. But I think sometimes you just get so caught up in the drama that you forget that this person does not have your best interest at heart. Don’t let them have authority over your life! Ignore and move forward. 

 

photo credit: Aerin Lauder 

 

I hope that quote inspired you to make goals and to stop giving people power over your life. It takes practice but it can be done! 

Here is one more inspiring item. The boutique’s new arrival is available. The Emma Lace Midi is sooo beautiful. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

It is the perfect dusty pink, the lace in the front is elegant, and the pleated skirt is perfect. The sleeves are sheer which adds a more feminine touch and it is fully lined! It is a really pretty dress and I hope you all love it. Have a great weekend! 

 

 

 

A Blue and White Wedding

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Good Morning Everyone,

I am really excited! My new arrival for the boutique has arrived and I do love it! It’s a regular size dress and I can’t wait to get it on the website! I hope you guys love it as well. Speaking of beautiful things I found this gorgeous and I mean gorgeous wedding on Pinterest. 

I clicked on the photo and it lead me to a timeless wedding in Washington, D.C. 

 

photo credit: Kate Headley

 

Don’t you just love the toile table skirt? So beautiful! I love the pink draperies, hydrangeas, mother of pearl, roses, and tulips. 

 

photo credit: Kate Headley 

 

Oh my goodness! Can I have this banquette? I would love this! It makes me want to search Facebook Marketplace. I think the website said that it was custom-made. 

 

photo credit: Kate Headley

 

Look at this beautiful card table. It is decorated with blue and white canton and chinoiserie vases. They also filled it with the iconic cherry blossoms from Washington D.C. This wedding has such beautiful details. If you wish to read about it or see the rest of the photos you may do so here.  Have a wonderful Wednesday! 

 

 

 

Morning Things….

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Good Morning,

Our snow is melting and it is a bit warmer this week. I did something fun yesterday. I will share it on Friday! I did forget to mention in Monday’s blog post that I did go antiquing again. I found a NEW antique store. It is called SoBro Vintage Market Antiques. I will be honest it looked pretty crappy outside but when I walked in and was blown away! These booth owners have really good taste. I will be returning in the spring when the weather gets better. 

I have begun a new furniture quest. I am on the hunt for a secretary desk and a Chinoiserie-inspired table that I will use as a desk. I have the vision in my head and will give examples of what I am looking for later. I will start with Facebook Marketplace for my search. 

Today I wanted to talk about my “morning things”.

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I have changed my morning routine this past year. Because of working from home and my new position, I have had to move things around. Most of you know that I am in a new office and this space is quite larger but there is no window for light. I must admit sometimes I miss my windows but this location is so much better! I am also on the intermittent fasting routine. I now have my first meal or my “tea time” does not start until 11:00 a.m. It is still an adjustment. When 10:00 a.m. hits I tell you it’s hard for me now to start tea time! 

My “morning things” are my china. Of course, I love the small blue and white plate that I use for my cinnamon raisin English muffin. I toast it in our breakroom and while it heats I use our water machine to add hot water to my “tea for one” teapot. You guys know that I am loving my new teacup from Homegoods. I only purchased two teacups. One for home and one for my office. 

 

 

You will also notice that I have a sandwich bag full of grapes. I have to have some sort of fruit in the mornings with my muffin and tea. The tea that I have been drinking for the last 2 years is chamomile and roasted dandelion. I love this combination together. You will also notice in the first photo that I have my painting of the Water Tower along with some “table beauties” nearby. Above are some of my table beauties. Every morning when I walk into my office I look at my table. I must admit my eyes go right to my new porcelain rose. I purchased one for my office as well. 

Once I come back from the breakroom, I sit down say a quiet prayer, eat my grapes, muffin, and sip my hot cup of tea with honey. While I am enjoying “tea time”, I am listening to Mozart, checking emails, and looking around my office. Morning things…..

 

Have a great Wednesday! 

 

 

 

Would You Travel Alone?

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Good Monday Morning!

My Mondays always seem to be hectic to me. I do have a routine and system so everything is ready in the morning except for my body. It does not like Monday mornings. This weekend was okay. Since I worked from home on Thursday and Friday of last week it felt as if I had more time off. It was so nice teleworking those days. I’ve got to take a least one day a week to telework. I think that would help bring a little peace throughout the week. 

I ordered too many things online. I have about 7 packages coming from Amazon. I think I shared that I am trying to order Lauren a few things as well. During some of my downtime this weekend I watched a few videos on Youtube. Since I love French living a video was “suggested” to me from Youtube. It was called, “I went to Paris Alone- How to find Joy in Solitude”. The title alone pulled me in….

 

photo via: Instagram

 

That got me thinking and honestly, I have been thinking about this for a while now. Could I travel alone? I mean if I were single and had no husband or child would I be traveling. Could I be brave enough to travel alone?

And the answer is yes! I have dined alone several times especially when I am traveling for work. Being in my own company has never bothered me. 

What about any of you? Have any of you ever traveled alone? Anyone ever traveled overseas alone? I am mainly interested in women traveling alone. That intrigues me. 

 

 

I have posted the video here. I do hope that you all enjoy it! Helena has lots of wonderful thoughts on traveling alone and the culture in Paris. Watch the video and let me know your thoughts! Have a wonderful Monday!

 

 

Winter Antiquing

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And a Good Morning to you All! 

Well, we have not received much snow here in Indy but we are forecasted to get 14 inches from now until Friday!!! Yes, you read that correctly 14 inches in my area! So my plan today is to get into my office quickly, get some of my work done, grab my laptop, and work from home the rest of the week. I will be leaving my office early today. I don’t want to get stuck in the ice storm that will be arriving BEFORE the snow! Wish me luck!

It will be nice to work from home for a few days. Lauren will be home as well e-learning so it will be nice not having to rush out the rest of the week. One of my new books just arrived. I ordered Vintage Roses and I cannot wait to take some time this week and read it! It is so beautiful!

Okay now let me share what I found at my favorite antique store.…

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I spotted these gorgeous plates as soon as I walked in. I have no idea what the name of the pattern was but I loved the blue!

 

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

The next item were these charming pink vases. It was only $12 for both! I am still regretting not buying these!

 

 

The next thing that I spotted was this elegant green dish. I have no idea what it was but I loved the color. Beautiful right?

 

 

I walked around some more and spotted these vintage wine glasses. I wish I had room for all of these things. I adored the wine glasses to the right on the second shelf. Goodness, I should have just purchased them. 

 

 

Here are some more goodies in this chair. I could not pass up that blue and white trinket dish or the pillow. Just look at all the rich colors and textures. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

 

In the end, I purchased a pink-tinted vase, a gold rope tray, a Chinosiere ginger jar, a Limoges floral platter, the textured tasseled pillow, the blue and white vintage tray, and the gold plant stand. I spent under $50 on everything. I am so excited about my finds. I can’t wait to use everything. I do use my things. If they are beautiful that just makes life so elegant to me. Now I am going to get my day finished and come home. We will see how much of this 14 inches we will get! 

Enjoy your Wednesday!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paula Deen’s Birthday Cake

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Good Morning,

Oh goodness, is it the weekend yet? I am ready for the weekend already! It has been such a busy week at work and it is only Wednesday! But on to something fun that I saw on Facebook…

I think that I mentioned that I follow a Facebook page called Grandmillennial Style and we are always sharing our finds and decor from our homes. Well someone shared these wonderful photos from Paula Deen’s 75th Birthday party on our group page. I have no idea who the photographer was or who posted the pictures but I do know one thing, I need to find out who made her cake!!!!

 

photo via Facebook 

 

OMG! This was her cake! It’s incredible, isn’t it? Oh my goodness!

 

photo via Facebook

 

I kept staring at it trying to find out how it was made. I am so curious about this cake and in love with it!

 

photo via Facebook

It’s a beautiful cake, isn’t it? My only hope is that the information about who the baker is surfaces. My 40th birthday is this year and I would LOVE to have something similar to his made. I may have to just take this photo and have someone try to make something similar. What do you all think? I hope this put a smile on your face today. Have a great Wednesday!