I am such a person of routine and don’t like change much but recently I have been craving change in some areas of my life. For one where I park in the morning has recently begun to drive me nuts!
I park about 4 blocks away from my office. Yes, you heard me 4 blocks! For the last 10 years that walk has never bothered me until recently. It was about two weeks ago when I was making that walk that I said in my mind, “okay, that’s it, I’m tired of this”. I don’t want to make this journey anymore.
I no longer feel safe, the homeless are getting out of control, I have had too many men following me to my car, the mall is a mess and I want to be closer to my building.
So I made a change recently. I have found a garage and it is across from where I work. So we will see how this new change goes for 2020.
I have so many things that I want to accomplish this year but I wanted to review 2019. As I was going through all of my blog posts checking for the popular ones I found ones that I really enjoyed writing and wanted to share those. So below are MY favorite blog posts of 2019!
https://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Cakebake2BShop2Bbirthday.jpg16001200mrs.sshockleyhttps://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Website-Logo-4-1030x579.pngmrs.sshockley2020-01-06 11:43:002020-12-15 17:17:24Things I Loved In 2019
Gosh, a decade has ended and a new one is beginning. It’s 2020…. that sounds so weird, doesn’t it? I remember when it was 1991 and one of my mother’s friends said, ” Hey when it’s the year 2000 you guys might be flying in your cars”! I thought wow… that sounds cool. Now as an adult that sounds like a nightmare!
I would NOT want to be flying in my car! I hate heights and just thinking of all the mess we would have. I am glad to see that her premonition was not true. Thank goodness…
I wanted to share in this post the top posts of 2019. Thank you to all of you who have been continuous readers of my blog. It has been fun meeting new people and talking with the old ones. Cheers to your new year everyone!
https://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Coffee2BTable2BUpdate2B5.jpg400378mrs.sshockleyhttps://ahomeforelegance.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Website-Logo-4-1030x579.pngmrs.sshockley2020-01-01 15:07:002020-12-15 17:17:25Top Post of 2019
Wow, well that went fast! Thanksgiving and Christmas, I almost forgot about writing a post for the blog! Geez.
Well, I hope that you all had a great Christmas. I did. It was a lot of WORK but we managed and got through it all even while spending time with family. Now time for the daily grind and getting back into the swing of things.
I tell you what I can’t wait until my daughter drives. Yes, of course, I am terrified but it will be nice to have my mornings back and put more responsibility on her to get herself to school. I have to have her there by 7:50 a.m.! Oh, I hate it but I try to take it in because, in the end, I will miss our drives to school in the morning.
Now let’s dive right into my December favorites….
The picture above is of the nightly serum I have been using for about two months now and it’s called the Clarins Double Serum. Now I know it is expensive but it is so worth the price! I have noticed such a change in my face. It’s bright and I don’t wear any foundation. It has 21 plant extracts in it and I only use it at night. Just two small pumps and I apply the serum to my face and neck. It’s glorious and the smell is magnificent.
The second love on my list is the HBO documentary about Ralph Lauren called Very Ralph.What a wonderful documentary. It was so well done and to be quite honest I should not expect anything less from the timeless man himself. If you have cable I would search for it and watch it. It is streaming for free on cable. Do watch it. You will be inspired.
Third, on my list has been a beautiful Christmas movie that I have watched over and over. It is called Borrowed Hearts. I saw this movie years ago and it just popped in my mind over the holiday season. So I did a search on my Comcast cable and found it for free! I have watched it over 10 times! It is so well written and I think that Eric McCormack and Roma Downey did a wonderful job. Search for it if you can!
Fourth on my list has been this wonderful sample that I received at the cosmetic show that I attended a few months ago. I was given a sample of Laura Mercier Rose Nourishing Oil. I have been using it everywhere! The light rose scent and nourishing oil has been heaven-sent for my heels. You are suppose to use it on your face but I have been using it all over! Forgive me but it is that good.
Fifth on my list was my very first podiatrist visit! Yes, I made an appointment with a podiatrist. I have never been to one before but I noticed something going on with my toes and I wanted to get an expert opinion. Now I do not have my results back yet but do you guys remember when my foot was swollen? I mentioned it in one of my YouTube videos. Well, it turns out that I actually broke my foot!
Can you believe that? This is an actual screenshot of my doctor’s laptop and my foot. I had a fracture that most people have to have surgery on. I couldn’t believe it! My doctor said that it actually healed back in place perfectly! I prayed over my foot and once I heard that I prayed silently on the inside, thanking God!
Sixth on my list have been my Ann Taylor slingbacks. I purchased these last month and have not regretted it! I hope that some of you were able to grab a pair. They are now 50% off!
It’s been a great month and I am looking forward to new things this year. I have been writing in my new Day Designer about things I want to see come into fruition. I pray for wonderful things this year and new opportunities. Enjoy your Monday!
I hope everyone had a great weekend. We did! My daughter’s friend invited her to go ice skating. It was a great night out. There were little shops around to buy hot apple cider and food. It was a great couple of hours watching her skate at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt and guess what was in walking distance? TheCakebake Shop!
So my husband wanted to walk over and have dinner there? Nice right? He loves the chicken velvet soup so that worked out for me.
The restaurant now has all of the Christmas decor up and it is just as beautiful and elegant as ever!
So for our dinner choices this time I got the roasted salmon filet with Maille dijon sauce, roasted potatoes, and Haricot vets. For my cake selection, I got the incredibly moist red velvet cake with pink vanilla bean buttercream. It was all delicious!
It was a great evening.
Okay, let’s get into my November favorites. I will start with this wonderful new tea that I found at the supermarket.
It is called TeaWell Organic Matcha Green and I love it! As you can see it helps with antioxidant support, immune support, mental vitality and what I need digestion support! It has a wonderful earthy taste to it and tastes wonderful with a teaspoon of honey. And not to give to much t.m.i. it has been getting my juices flowing properly.
And my new tea selection could not be complete without a new teapot.
I found this beauty at Homegoods and they don’t let you shop online yet. So if you have one nearby go and check it out. This teapot was only $14.99!
Fourth on my list, and it would not be complete without a favorite scent this month. I am loving the Tis the Season scent from Bath and Body Works. The combination of sweet apple, cinnamon, and cedarwood has been filling my hallways lately. I absolutely adore it!
As some of you may have heard my Christmas trees are up (I put up four in the house), and I can not get enough of them. I love my blue and white ornaments. I promise to post a video on my Youtube channel of the rest of my trees sometime soon. If you have not watched my video of our Barbie Ornament tree you may view it below.
Sixth on my list has been these Thomas English muffins! I don’t know what possessed me to get English muffins but I did and I love them! I bought a few into the office and I placed them in the toaster, spread some butter on them, and enjoy them at my desk with my blueberries and hot matcha green tea. That is how I start my morning when I get into the office!
Seventh on my list and this list is getting quite long, are these bow mules that I ordered from Ann Taylor Factory. I talked about these on my blog a few weeks ago. See here if you missed it. They are so comfy and most of my co-workers love them! Don’t miss out!
And last but certainly not least has been the Vince Guaraldi- Charlie Brown Christmas Songs!Now I know it may be a little soon for some but my daughter and I love listening to these on our way to school in the morning.
They are so classic, timeless and simple. For some reason, these songs put my soul at ease and bring about some peace which is what this country needs so much.
Well, I hope that you all enjoyed my favorites for the month. I will be prepping this week for Thanksgiving and will be really busy. I hope to film a little of it. We will see.
Back to the normal schedule this week. Our daughter is heading back to school after two weeks off for fall break.
I do enjoy it when she has breaks. It’s nice to have some time off from the morning school rush. My family and I finally went and saw Gemini Man with Will Smith this weekend. It was very good! Not too much blood, profanity, and no sex! Thank goodness. We were able to enjoy the entire movie.
Alright, let’s get into my favorites for this month.
My first was this wonderful surprise from a fellow Youtuber. I talked about her channel before. It is called Inspired by Nikki and my closet was featured in one of her videos!
My photos start at minute 6:10. Enjoy!
Second, on my list was the private cosmetic party that I got invited to by Von Maur.We had to check-in by 8:00 a.m. but it was a wonderful time and I got lots of free products!
My first mimosa!
My bag full of free goodies and gift card!
Third, on my list is a poem that I recently heard on one of my favorite podcast shows. I listen to David Jeremiah every morning and it always helps me to start my day off right. Love his sermons and teachings. Last week he recited a poem that has just stuck with me for the last two weeks now.
There are two natures that beat within my chest. One is foul, and one is blessed. The one I love; the one I hate. The one I feed with dominate.
It makes you think, doesn’t it?
Fourth, on my list are these beautiful BCBG wedges that I ordered from Poshmark. And yes, I got them for the $19 listed at the bottom of the photo. The original price was $228 and she barely wore these! Fantastic right?
Fifth on my list is the beautiful pinkberry sweater that I picked up from Ann Taylor. I have already worn it and it is incredibly comfy and chic. It’s on sale right now if you are interested.
And last on my list are my beautiful red mums that we picked up in Brown County, Indiana. We paid about $25 for both but they were so worth it. I love them! These are the best mums I have ever had.
I hope you enjoyed these favorites and have a great Monday. I have printed off my Christmas list and I am working on getting it done before Thanksgiving. I am already halfway there! Wish me luck!
I’ve got a busy week this week. I am filling in for my friend while she is away. She is the executive assistant to the U.S. Attorney in our district. It always overwhelms me that she picked me to be her fill in for this. I am truly grateful and honored by it.
I hope you all had a great weekend. It always feels like these weekends only last for one day. It goes by too fast. I am so excited you guys! I can’t wait to visit the Cake Bake Shopon Friday! I hope it is just as nice as the smaller location.
Let’s get right into my favorites for the month of September….
First on my list is this new Estee Lauder replenish lip balm.Oh my do I adore this! My lips are so hydrated after using this and I love the hint of pink. So perfect!
Second on my list is this velvet wristlet by Ann Taylor Factory. It has sold out unfortunately so I can’t share the link. I am using this as my makeup bag for my tote. I think it will be a great addition to my autumn accessories.
Third on my list is the beautiful faux pearl necklace from H&M. I could not find it online. This is the closest that I could find. Sorry… I only paid $5.99 for it and I think that it is so chic.
Fifth on my list is my sophisticated and lovely cocktail ring that I found at the Toggery Consignment Store here in my city. I have no idea what it is or where it is from but it is wonderfully exquisite.
My closet at home
And last on my list has been my closet. I have been purging like crazy. I am being really honest with myself as far as my clothes and my true style. The photo above is from last week. This is what I usually do. I place my clothes, accessories and shoes out for the next day. I always like having what I am going to wear in order. I don’t like go through my closet the day of. That is a nightmare to me.
Other favorites have been fresh pears in the morning with my breakfast. My cherry blossom tea that I purchased while we were in D.C. in March. Some recent pink roses that I found at the organic store and did you guys hear that Lady and the Tramp will be released in November of this year? I hope that it will be good. It’s so hard to find good films to watch these days.
I hope that you all have a great Monday and enjoy your day!
Oh my goodness. I am still wiped out and it’s only Monday. I don’t know what it is but I feel like something is sucking the energy out of my body. I think it could be the new school schedule for my daughter. Leaving the house almost an hour earlier has been a huge adjustment for us. Well, let’s go ahead and get started with my favorites for this month.
Let’s start with the photo above. I have really enjoyed all of my floral arrangements this month. I have had LOTS of arrangments. My local grocery store has been running sales left and right. Even this past weekend I was able to get three dozens of roses at $6 each! Amazing right?
My second favorite has been my dowel tote handbag from Target. I have been carrying non-stop and have received numerous compliments on it. It’s chic, cheap and spacious. It’s a winner!
My third favorite has been a bit of a surprise. I purchased these pearl hair clips from H&Mbut Target also has them here. I have seen a few YouTubers and Instagrammers with these and I was a little hesitant but I love them! They look great and add a bit of a whimsical look to your appearance. Give them a try!
My fourth favorite has been Jennifer L. Scott’s video about her vintage Victoria magazine from 1994. I can’t tell you guys how many times I have watched it. It’s been a few. I was inspired by this and recorded my own flip through on my Youtube channel with my own vintage Victoria magazine. My magazine is from 2002 not quite as old but it was the beginning of who I am today. I hope that you guys got a chance to watch her video and mine.
Her video
And here is my video
The fifth favorite on my list is my newly painted bedroom. I know that it has not been an entire month yet but I do love it! Color makes such a difference in a home. It can change how you see a room completely.
And my last favorite was the vintage purse/truck show that I got invited to last week. I enjoyed that so much and really loved looking at all of the vintage Louis Vuitton’s and Gucci bags. I did not make a purchase but loved having an opportunity to visit, shop, and have a mom moment.
I hope you all enjoyed my favorites for this month. Share some of your monthly favorites below. I am curious about what has made you smile this month.
