Blog posts that inspire

My First Peony Festival

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Good Morning,

Friday already? Gosh, this week went by really quick. I don’t have much planned for the weekend. Just some errands and I need start looking for my Father’s Day gift. That is right around the corner as well. I do want to ride my bike when I get home from work. I am feeling a bike ride today. 

While I am out shopping I do hope that I can find some white tulips. I purchased this tulipiere about 2 weeks ago and I cannot wait to use it! Wish me luck!

Well earlier this week I shared that I found out about a peony festival here in my city! You know how someone will “like” an event on Facebook and then that appears in your newsfeed? That’s what happened here and I am so glad that it did! 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

So this was the 2nd Annual Peony Festival and the peony is our state flower! Lucky us! I told my husband that I was going and I did not care if he wanted to go or not. He wanted to and so did our daughter. My step-son and his girlfriend joined us as well! It was a great family day!

 

 

There were beautiful fresh peonies everywhere! And the scent was heavenly! They also had food trucks and vendors selling items. It got me thinking about setting up the boutique! I may have to consider that!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was one of the vendors. It’s called the Indiana Paper Company and they make faux peonies out of paper! They were so detailed and looked extraordinary. This company also offers workshops. They will teach you how to make these beautiful stems. They were incredibly nice individuals as well. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

Everywhere we turned I wanted to grab peonies! They were everywhere!

 

 

 

Beautiful floral vendors. 

 

 

I did end up getting a bouquet of course. The florist looked at me as I was picking out my flowers and she said, “You know how to pick them don’t you”. I said, “yes, I know what I want”. She then said, “look at the colors you picked”. It’s lovely. I smiled and thanked her.

 

 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was one of my bouquets. It was the most gorgeous stock I had ever seen and it lasted over a week! 

 

 

 

Me and Mr. Shockley 

 

We had a great time. Honestly, it was like a dream to me because it was a giant garden. The whole park was full of smells and beauty. We did grab a few cupcakes from Smallcakes. They were good but I am a huge Flying Cupcake fan. I love their cupcakes! 

This event has already been added to my “Elegant things to do in Indy” list. Yes, I started one to keep track of events or to schedule my favorite things to do. I did want to go back to the Butterfly Garden at the zoo but the closed it! I was so shocked! I couldn’t believe it. But this event will make up for that loss. 

I hope this encourages you to seek out beautiful things in your city. Even if you have to attend things alone then so be it. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying your life!

Also, I want everyone to know that the Beverly Rose Tote is on sale for only $20! I only have 4 left! Order one for your spring/summer wardrobe. I will NOT be restocking this item. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Mom Time ~ Antiquing!

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Good Morning,

It was a great weekend! The weather was perfect and I was able to get everything done on my list. I am starting to have problems with my home computer. I hope I can work them out but we will see. I hate buying electronics! I placed two orders with my vendor for some new dresses for the boutique. A plus size dress and regular size dress. We will see if those orders can be filled. Everyone is having issues with supply. 

Our trial last week went well. I am glad that it is finished and off my radar. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

Our courtroom ceilings…. beautiful aren’t they?

 

On Friday I had a light day at the office so I left a few hours early to have some “mom time” before I came home to start the weekend. I wanted to go antiquing. I just love antiquing. I could do it every day if you let me. One thing that I added to my list was a bike ride. 

 

photo credit: L. Shockley

It was a wonderful evening for it. We went as a family. 

 

Now let me show you the beautiful items that I purchased!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I purchased this lovely little Lenox swan, a Haviland Limoges beautiful soup tureen, Waterford Marquis small vase, Spode blue and white plate, and a Wedgewood Jasperware pitcher. I paid about $70 for all of it! Wonderful deal, I think!

 

 

The swan has a home on my dresser. I love seeing all of my vintage and antique pieces placed on my dresser. 

 

 

And the small Waterford Marquis vase is on my second clear table in my bedroom which I will share later. This little vase is the perfect size for a small bouquet. I really enjoyed my few hours of antiquing. I did see something else that I wanted from there and I went back to get it. I will share it tomorrow! Have a wonderful Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Too Big to Care

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Good Morning,

I am so looking forward to this weekend. I have a few “home things” planned but nothing major. Next weekend I am praying for excellent weather. I will be attending the Indiana Peony Festival and I can’t wait! I have never gone before so this will be my first year. It looked wonderful and I am trying to get out and find beautiful things to do in my city. 

Thank you to everyone who reached out about my “Activities Outside the Office” post. I think we all need a reminder from time to time. Did any of you watch Jennifer’s recent video? It is called “5 Reasons to Take the High Road and Remain Unbothered”. 

 

 

OMG… I loved this video. Especially number one, “be too big to care”. That pierced my heart. It is so true. People always and I mean always want to pull you into the dirt with them and sometimes it can be hard to ignore them. 

I have my moments where I want to match their pettiness but I quickly pull back and say, “No, we are rising above this”. “Don’t sink”. 

 

photo credit: Marchionesshg

 

This has been a life journey for me. I did not grow up in a home where manners and character were taught. I did not see good relationships or friendships so immaturity was matched with immaturity. As I got older and left my home and begin being around other people. I learned lots of things. I learned that class was something worth being sought after. 

I loved the definition of the word that she discussed in her video called magnanimous. Did you all read it? Being forgiving toward a rival or less powerful person. Wow… “less powerful person”. That phrase is everything and I am beginning to put my enemies in that category. Less powerful person…..

What are your thoughts? Do you think that you can be too big to care? Let me know in the comments below and have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Activities Outside of Work

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Good Morning,

I can’t believe it hit 80 degrees yesterday! It was beautiful a little warm but beautiful. I placed my chinoiserie rug outside on my porch recently and I need to visit the nursery to get my mandevilles for the year. My lilac bushes are blooming and my peonies are beginning to bud. The beautiful flower season is upon us! 

I am planning on having a picnic at our favorite park soon and I will be sure to share some of my favorite items from it. With all of these summer activities coming up it and all of my new adventures beginning it got me thinking about “activities outside of work”. 

 

 

photo credit: Randi Garrett

 

I am on a committee at my office called the Women’s Leadership Initiative or “WLI” and we recently had a panel of women in leadership roles speak to some of our guests. We discussed topics such as motherhood, being wives, taking care of ourselves, being leaders in male-dominated fields, and being involved in activities outside of the office. All of these subjects were wonderful but the one that struck a chord with me was “activities outside of the office”. One thing that I noticed about some of the “trouble-makers” or “petty Pattys” in our office was that none of them were involved in anything significant outside of the office and you could tell!

 

photo credit: Pinterest

 

When you are involved in activities outside of your normal job it gives you balance. Because then your time and efforts are put into something else that you love! When you have nothing going on then you begin to try to find your value or worth in your current job because that is where all of your efforts are going. Don’t do that! Find other activities to do! I will be 40 later this year and I am finally at a point in my life where I can finally start getting out a little more. By me joining all of these committees and volunteering I am making friends and meeting people. 

Don’t put all of your value in your job. It is not healthy. Because what ends up happening is when so and so gets the promotion you want you then begin to devalue yourself because all of your worth is in that job! You also tend to start drama with other staff and gossip because your focus is on everyone else because you have nothing going for you. So now everyone is a target! Don’t do it. It’s not worth it and trust me people see it. 

I would say pour yourself a cup of tea, get out a pen and paper, jot down your favorite things to do and then search your city! Or you can do what I did. Speak it! When I take my morning walks I speak things out loud to the Lord. He hears and if it is his will he will get you there. I said I wanted to network. He heard me and here I am. There will be some work on your part but you can do it. Build the life you want. Don’t be one of those petty sour women in the office that thrives on drama. Rise above it! Have a great Wednesday!

 

 

 

 

Joining the Guild

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Good Morning Everyone,

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and an excellent Mother’s Day! If your mom is no longer around I am sorry. I know that mothers hold a high place in our hearts and homes and for some people, this can really be a hard time.

I had a great weekend! On Saturday I got up early and got ready for our subdivision HOA sale. I set up the boutique in my garage and it looked like a mini-store. I got LOTS of compliments on the setup. The boutique did so well! Half of my inventory is gone! I am so happy that everyone who made a purchase loved the dresses that I had.  I am working on ordering another plus-size dress as well as a regular size so we will see what my vendor has available. 

After the sale, I went to get my car washed, visited HomeGoods, and went grocery shopping. I found a new mirror at HomeGoods. I needed a bigger one to do my selfie photos because my silver one was way too narrow to work with. I also found this tray table to use in my bedroom. I will share all of these in my “May favorites” blog post.  On Sunday, I got up early to start a few house chores, work on my blog and boutique, finish some laundry and receive my Mother’s Day gifts. I got a beautiful bouquet and this gorgeous ring from Nicola from my husband. Lauren also wrote me a wonderful Mother’s Day card and those always mean a lot to me because she sketches them herself!

This week is going to be a busy one at the office. We have a trial scheduled this week and another one in about another week but we are ready. In today’s post, I wanted to talk about some of the other activities that have been grabbing my attention.

I shared last week about going to the Indiana Decorator’s Showhouse and touring the home. I didn’t go into details about what happened while I was there. I do talk about it in my recent Youtube will be uploaded tonight or tomorrow.

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

The entryway of the showhome

 

When I approached the home there was a hostess outside giving us the facts about the home. After she spoke with us about the home she invited us to come inside. When I begin to approach the home she stopped me in my tracks. She looked at me and said, “you need to be doing this”. I looked at her and said, “I just want to see the house”. She said, “no you need to join our committee”. She then told me to take the tour and then come back and see her. 

 

photo credit: Aerin.com

 

So I finished the tour and came back. She then told me about the committee and all of its activities. They are involved in the volunteer work for each home that is picked, they do fundraising, host social events, and network. I have a conference call scheduled this week with the president and I am so looking forward to meeting new women and volunteering. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday and I will update you guys on this new adventure!

 

 

Please note: some links are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through this link, I will receive a small commission for referring you to the product. Thank you so much in advance if you decide to make a purchase through my link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Mother’s Day Weekend

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Good Morning,

I have a very busy day today. My division is preparing for a 3-day trial next week and there is a lot to do. It will be my first trial as a civil paralegal supervisor and I am a little nervous. But I believe we are ready for the challenge. I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day! I have a few things planned that I want to do but we will see. Tomorrow our subdivision is having its yearly spring garage sale and I will be setting up the boutique! I hope to get some items sold but we will see. Last year we had two garage sales and I did great at both of them so wish me luck!

 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

My husband got me these roses yesterday from Costco for Mother’s Day! They are so fragrant. Do you spy a Sarah Flint shoebox in the background? I will be filming a new Youtube video this month giving a life update and showing a new pair of shoes! 

 

 

Beautiful azaleas right? These were on the back porch of the showhouse that I went and toured this week. On Wednesday I went to the new members meeting and next Tuesday I have a conference call to discuss membership. I will be giving you guys an update next week! 

Also, I saw this gorgeous gazebo in the paper and begged my husband to go and get it! I have been wanting to dine al fresco at home during the spring and summer for years! He should be setting this up for me this weekend! I also have a table and chairs that need to be repainted and he is going to paint those. Hopefully, I can get some flowers and create a beautiful oasis in my backyard! I will be sure to share photos of the progress and finished product. 

Thanks for reading and enjoy the weekend!

 

 

Is Your Worst Still Your Best?

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Good Morning,

Goodness, it is still cold! We had snow yesterday morning!!! Yes you read that correctly SNOW! Goodness, so over the cold weather. But in today’s post, I wanted to discuss Jennifer’s recent video that she posted about “3 Articles on Dress”. One of the subjects was “goblin mode”. Now, this has been the first I have heard of this phrase. I will post the video below if you missed it. So goblin mode is a new term for laziness and just looking at the photo that described it grieved my soul a little. Like Jennifer said in the video, “people can do want they want” but I just wanted to check my pulse and yours about this subject. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

So lately when I go grocery shopping or out period I have been seeing a lot of people in clothes that I think they sleep in. I mentioned this before that it just grieves me. I know that people can live the way they want but when we go out and we see how people look it can inspire us for better or worse. When I see a woman looking her absolute best it totally inspires me to continue with my clothing style choices. When I see women in “goblin mode” I feel sorry for them sometimes. But I keep in mind that I don’t know what that person is going through and to extend grace. 

 

Photo credit: Memorandum.com 

 

We should live in a way that when we are down in the dumps we still have “elegant choices” around. The bad choices, whether clothing, food, or entertainment are not an option for you because everything you have is your absolute best. “Live your life so that your worst is your best”! That phrase popped into my mind while watching Jennifer’s video. Live your life so that your worst is your best! 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

I purposely choose elegant items in my life. There is no room or limited room for me to choose things that are not my best. I would encourage you to replace items, clothes, and entertainment that will enrich you to always use it. We are only on this earth for a short time. Make it count! 

 

 

Here is Jennifer’s video if you missed it. I hope that you all are inspired to use your best always and to begin to replace items that are worn with items that are the best for you. You must be fearless in this area and confident because not everyone will like it nor support it. 

As I have said before, “there is so much darkness in this world. Why not be elegant”. Have a wonderful Wednesday!