Blog posts that inspire

A Blue Bug & Boutique Hotel

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And a Happy Monday to everyone! I have quite a busy week this week. I have a new staff member starting today, a staff meeting on Tuesday, and a possible pop-up shop on Friday. So we will see how things pan out. 

We had a good weekend. We tried our best to spoil my husband but things always happen where we have to focus on the kids. On Friday we went and looked at our daughter’s dream car. She will be a junior in high school in a few months so we figured this was a good year for her to drive. Our daughter has always wanted a Volkswagon Beetle in sky blue and our good friend found the car! I couldn’t believe it! We are so excited for Lauren and are praying vigilantly for her to be safe. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

She is super excited and can’t stop smiling. It is a wonderful thing to be able to do things like this for your kids. I hope that all of you had a great weekend and celebrated your fathers, husbands, and whatever special guy you have in your life. 

Now on to this gorgeous hotel that I learned about on the Victoria magazine website. The hotel is called Hotel Paris Marais Caron de Beaumarchais. I have never seen a hotel like this but this hotel speaks to me in so many ways. 

 

Photo credit: Hotel Paris Marais Caron.com 

 

The very first thing that captured me about this hotel is that they do not have a traditional front desk area. The lobby features a living area completely decorated with 18th-century antiques! Oh my gosh!

 

 

 

I can’t believe how gorgeous this hotel is. When you walk in there is a fireplace, candles, and a crystal chandelier. 

 

photo credit: Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais.com

 

And you all have to check out the bedrooms! Oh my goodness, they are stunning! They are truly an elegant dream. Each room is decorated with 18th-century antiques, some have beautiful views and a wonderful breakfast option. 

 

 

Doesn’t this look wonderful? This is the breakfast that they offer. This would be a dream for me. To stay in such a beautiful hotel, wake up to this beautiful breakfast, and stare out my windows. Such a beautiful dream! I really hope that I can go to France one day and stay in a hotel like this. Wouldn’t you?

I really hope you all enjoyed this beautiful hotel. I would love to know if any of you have been to France and stayed in a hotel similar to this one. Please share your story below. 

Before I end today’s post I wanted to let everyone know that my new earring arrivals are available on the boutique’s page. I really hope that you all enjoy them. Have a great Monday!

 

 

Ivy Vine Earring

Camellia Pearl Earring

 

 

 

This post is not sponsored. 

 

 

Table Manners with French Girlfriends

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Good Morning,

Today I just wanted to post a short video that I watched last month from my favorite blogger Sharon Santoni. She shared this beautiful video from her friends Octavie and Cecile and their beautiful store called La Maison du Bac.  I do hope that you enjoy it!

 

photo credit: La Maison du Bac Instagram 

 

 

 

 

 

Decor Evolving

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Dear June,

Please don’t go by so fast! I hope the Lord hears my request. I am ready for it to get a little warmer here but not humid. I hate the humidity! I don’t have many plans for the weekend. I did just order my first etiquette book! I know, I know… I don’t own one. Well, I don’t own an official etiquette book and I felt like it was time. So I ordered the Emily Posts Etiquette, 19th Edition: Manners for Today. 

I am really excited to see it and read it! Of course, I will share it once it arrives. In today’s post I wanted to share a recent photo that I found in my phone’s photo gallery.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was our living room in our first home in 2008! It’s funny, my husband and I were just talking about this house. I still remember the day we closed when we purchased it. I couldn’t believe that I was a homeowner at the age of 25! It was a great feeling. 

When I look at this photo I remember what I purchased, how much I paid, and why I purchased it. The two pink chairs should look familiar. I still have those but they are in my boutique/ home office now. My mother found those at a Goodwill store if you can believe it!

The gold curtains are from Walmart and I still have that giant floral arrangement. I paid only $10 for that thing! My mother-in-law’s friend sold it to me. I adored it and still do. I still have that as well. It should look familiar. It is in my sitting room on the left side of me if you watch my Youtube videos. I replace the flowers every couple of years. 

As I stare at it I realize that I was a “grandmillienial” at 25 and maybe younger. I remember sharing my bedroom in high school in one of my blog posts. I had “old lady” stuff then. 

But I do know that as time has passed my style has changed a bit. In this photo, you will notice that there is no blue and white. I didn’t own any.  I did start to notice it at this time. I see other things in this photo that are not there that I love now, and it just brings a conversation back to my mind. 

I had a dear friend tell me that every 10 years your style will change and I continue to believe that she is right. So what do you all think? Has your home decor style changed in the last decade? If so what did you love back then that you don’t now?

Leave a comment below. I would love to know. Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

Staying the Course…

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Good Morning Everyone,

We are winding down the month of May and of course, this month flew by. My daughter’s last week of school is next week. I can’t believe we are ending her sophomore year and she will be beginning her junior year this fall. It’s incredible. I will be heading to JP Parker Flowers in Franklin, Indiana this weekend. They just got their shipment of peonies! I hope to buy a few. The downtown location closed during the pandemic. I was very sad to hear that news but very grateful to hear that their second location is still open. 

In today’s post, I want to talk about something that has been sort of weighing on me. It’s about running your own race. Since I started the boutique in March I noticed that there are TONS and I mean TONS of other online boutiques! I noticed this during my online search to make sure that no one else had my blog or soon-to-be business name.  I mean it is incredible! There are so many out there and what’s unfortunate is that it will leave you thinking, “well what’s so different about your boutique?”

 

photo credit: Micheile Henderson

 

As I scroll through other websites, Facebook pages, and Instagram accounts, I begin to think long-term about what I want to accomplish with the blog and the boutique. Do I want to continue to do this? Where do I see this going in about 10 years? Will I still be in love with the website and the boutique? Do I have the stamina to continue with this and honestly compete? Because let’s just be honest. I am competing. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I am going to be honest. Finding your own voice in this overly saturated area is hard. There are a lot of boutiques that are wonderful and there are a lot that are terrible. We all have our opinions. But finding your voice and being able to run your race is the goal. My goal for the website has always been to inspire, to learn, and to share. What I love is not always popular and what I share is not always loved. But what I am sharing is my honest self. 

I remember when I was a little girl. I loved beautiful dresses and accessories but I never had access to it because of my home life. Now that I am older I find myself trying to bring those daydreams to life. And what I want to do is to be able to encourage my readers and followers to do the same. Don’t be afraid to be a lady. It’s more acceptable than you think. Everywhere I go someone is always staring and wondering. I see it and that’s okay. I remember when I was walking in Kroger and I had on a pair of small heels. One of the workers heard me walking down the aisle and when I got closer he said, “It’s been a long time since I heard a pair of heels and I love it”. I told him thank you but my inner man said, “wow”….

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

My goal for the boutique (right now) is to provide elegant options. I see many boutiques, and most of them I wouldn’t wear more than half of it! I am almost 40 years old. I don’t want a dress with graphics all on it and I don’t want a dress that I have to wear shorts under because it’s so short and I don’t want anything see-through. Now I know we will have those dresses where a slip is necessary (especially a white one) but for the most part, I don’t want to have to wear extra clothes to make up where a garment can not. 

Dressing in the mornings should be a wonderful treat. You should smile when you pull out a dress. My goal with my boutique is to help you produce that smile. I want you to smile when you pull out one of my dresses and know that you are going to be put together, that the garment can be trusted, and that you will feel a “simple elegance” to your appearance. Not over the top but just simple elegance. 

 

Mrs. Shockley, home. 

 

So these are the goals and now I must be able to find my voice in this boutique madness and run my race. I hope you all continue to come with me on the journey. 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

A Beautiful Package…

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Good Morning Everyone!

I hope everyone is well. It’s the middle of May already and we are struggling to get above 30 degrees at night! It’s been so cold. I can’t believe it is still this cold especially in May. Well, this weekend I don’t have much planned. Of course, my normal grocery shopping, and I do want to go to Target. I have 2 gift cards to use. I am sure I can find something good while I am there. 

I do want to share something. I received a wonderful package from a dear reader recently. I won’t share her name but I was astonished when I picked it up from the Post Office. For one it was large and I was not expecting that. 

When I got home to open it all I could do was say, “OH MY”!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

Everything was neatly packaged and boxed. Inside was a copy of a vintage 1995 Victoria magazine, a pearl makeup case, a package of eyelashes, Living in Love by Alexandra Stoddard, and a handwritten note.

 

 

I think the item that stopped me in my tracks the most was the Royal Albert gravy boat with a matching saucer!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

I could not believe the kindness of this reader’s heart and the extraordinary gifts that she sent. I will be sure to cherish things and use them. 

 

 

I am honored and flattered that someone would send me such wonderful things. Thank you to the reader and thank you to all of you who continue to follow and read the blog. I know that there are some of you who don’t comment but I just want to say thank you for reading and for coming along on the journey. It’s been wonderful so far.

I do want to tell everyone that I am having a cardigan and top sale for the boutique. The fuzzy mauve cardigan is on sale for $15, the ivory & pearl cardigan is on sale for $20, and the lace peplum top is on sale for $10! We also have a new arrival coming soon! I ordered 3 new dresses for the boutique. I hope to receive them all. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

 

The Kentucky Derby- Dream Trip

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I remember when I was in high school and a friend of mine was telling me about how she was going to the Kentucky Derby. This had to have been around the year 2000 so we were still juniors in high school. I went over to her house to see what she was going to be wearing and she showed me a very skimpy outfit that was very distasteful. Now in my mind, I thought what a minute from the pictures and from what I have seen on T.V. the women at the derby did not dress like that. So what derby was she referring to? 

As I got older I realized that there were different groups that went to the “derby” and she was not in the group that actually attended it. I have always wanted to go to the derby but I actually wanted to be inside the track not hanging around it with skimpy clothes on. 

 

photo credit: ocregister.com

 

Last week was the derby and I saw a lot of photos and videos on Instagram of people having “derby parties”. I thought what a fun idea. Especially now during the pandemic, this would be fun and easy to accomplish. But my heart still yearns to actually attend the derby so I have added it to my list of to-dos. 

 

photo credit: GardenandGun.com

 

Or should I just throw a Derby party? I don’t know. Honestly, most of the people I know would not even bother wearing a dress let alone a derby hat. I think attending the derby would be the best for me. I really want the experience. Please let me know in the comment section below if you have attended a derby party or have actually gone to the Kentucky Derby! I would love to know what it was like for you and some do’s and don’ts. Please share!!!

 

Have a great Wednesday! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things I Savor in Life ~ Part 2

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Whew… I have finished my first week as a paralegal supervisor and it was a busy week. I am enjoying it so far. I sure hope that this continues. In Wednesday’s post, I talked about how I was missing the arts. I talked about how I am missing the symphony during my lunch breaks, my piano lessons, and my daughter’s violin lessons. I also asked if any of you have any elegant activities which lead me to my 2016 post called “Things I Savor”.

It’s been four years since I wrote that post and some things have changed and some things have not. I wanted to update my list if you guys don’t mind….. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

 

1) I still enjoy fresh flowers every day and all day. That has not changed and if I can help it never will!

 

2) Do I still enjoy a new bag…. oh yes! Right not I am still loving my Tory Burch tote with my beautiful blue floral Coach scarf! The combination together is lovely!

 

3) I am still loving my daughter’s giggle. Although, it is no longer a giggle but a large laugh. It has changed in the last few years. 

 

4) Still loving my roasted chicken and red potatoes dish. But I am also loving my salmon with brown rice and sauteed spinach. That has become a new weekly favorite!

 

 

5) Oh yes, still enjoying the french bread but we are trying different variations of it. We recently found the Cheesecake Factory’s brown wheat bread at Kroger! Game changer!

 

6) Polished nails? Absolutely! I am still going to the nail salon. I actually started going back in February. I went a year without going. It was hard but worth it in the end. 

 

7) Am I still wearing kitten heels? OMG! Yes! My Ann Taylor shoes are the perfect kitten heel. Women stop me everywhere about those shoes and they are now 50% off! I just got the second print for $44!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

8) Well in my previous post, I was still taking piano lessons and I really miss that. My boutique has taken the place of those activities. I adore my boutique and I am so excited about some of the new dress arrivals coming soon!

 

9) Am I still wearing floral perfumes? Oh yes, my most recent love is the Philosophy jasmine scent. It is beautiful!

 

10) My husband’s haircut….. I still like it. But I am enjoying my new hairstyle! I feel like my appearance has more sophistication to it. I do love it!

 

11) It has changed from cooked salted broccoli to salted brussel sprouts. Yum!

 

12) I will always love Louis Vuitton but my heart has begun to venture to other designers and non-designers. I am learning to buy what I love. 

 

13) In my previous post this was a silk scarf. I still love them of course but for this season I have been enjoying my plush pink cardigans. 

 

 

 

14) 2 Chronicles 20:12

 

15) Pearl bracelets

 

16) Blue and white grandmillennial prints (toile)

 

17) Attending events or having dinner with friends

 

18) Beautiful bed linens

 

19) Psalm 37:1

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

20) Berry Tart from Kroger

 

21) Chris Botti’s “It never entered my mind”. 

 

 

22) My morning bubble baths

 

23) The movie “Three Coins in a Fountain”. The scenery and wardrobe are a dream to me and I love the storyline. 

 

 

Well, I think that is enough for now. This list could get really long. My last list had about 40 items. That was too many. I hope you all enjoyed this post and share below some of the things that you savor in life right now. I just realized that I am not reading anything (except for my Bible) right now. I need to find a good novel to read. Until then enjoy your Mother’s Day weekend and don’t forget today is the last day of the boutique’s sale. Use code MTDY25 to get 25% off of your purchase! 

Enjoy!

 

 

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