Archive for category: Monthly Favorites

Good Morning,

This will be my first favorites list for 2023! This is also tax time for me. I am trying to get all of my documents together and get everything organized before I file. With my regular job, the blog, the boutique, and my influencer work, tax time has been a very busy time for me. There is a lot that needs to be done. I am looking forward to when I am completely done with it. Then I want to focus on getting new inventory for the boutique. That is always the fun part!

I finally finished season 1 of the Crown and I am now starting season 2. Let me know in the comments section below what series you are watching. Now on to my favorites for the month of January.

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

My first favorite is my Royal Albert Tea for One set that I purchased from Wedgwood. I love it so much! I have been wanting this for quite some time and decided to go ahead and purchase it. I am so happy that I did!

The second favorite is my Staffordshire dogs that I purchased from an Instagram account called Willow Road Interiors. She also has an Etsy page as well. Now I think I have may share that I don’t normally like these figurines. In fact, most of them (to me) are quite ugly. But when I saw these, I instantly loved them! Here is another pair that you might like. Check out her account! 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

Third on my list were these yellow tulips that I found at the local grocery store. It has been so cold, gloomy, and dark here in Indy that having these for a week during January was a joy! They were so bright, cheery, and added a lovely feeling to our home. 

Fourth on my list has been my most FAVORITE thing this month! I love this new houndstooth tote from Kate Spade. Now I will share that during this month I did purchase a Teddy Blake bag, but I sent it back. I will be sure to share that experience but after sending it back I saw this and could not resist it. A few influencers did purse tutorials on YouTube. Here is the one that sold me! I love it! No regrets!

Oh this one was good as well! I saw this on Amazon months ago and decided to go ahead and order it! So glad I did! It comes in 21 colors. It is the perfect wrap cardigan! I will be wearing this while traveling and I think I may be wearing it during the spring! The fabric is so soft, it wraps so easily, and it’s the perfect pink. It’s perfect you guys! 

Sixth on my list was my latest blue and white haul at HomeGoods. I wanted this peony arrangement in the blue and white vase and it sold out at the HomeGoods near me. My co-worker went to her location and found it! So of course, I go and in addition to getting that arrangement they had some blue and white on sale! What a wonderful surprise! Also I was able to shop alone so that made it all the more worthwhile. 

And the last favorite for this month was a new YouTube channel that I found!

Mariana is another influencer who enjoys being elegant. I love her style and enjoy her videos. I hope you will enjoy her content as well. 

Well, that is it for my favorites for January. The quest for beautiful things is always on my radar and I hope to find more beautiful items to share next month. Have a great Monday!

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.

Good Morning,

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We spent it with family and friends. I quite enjoyed everyone’s company this year. Gifts were small but of great quality. I think that is the direction where everyone is headed in my family. Of course, we thanked the Lord for our health and for the many blessings that we received this year. The Lord has been quite gracious to us. 

This year has been full of so many new adventures for me. I am trying to have more experiences in my life instead of things. I feel like a lot of people are on that path. We will see what the Lord has planned for us this year. But let’s get into my favorites for the month of December. 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley

First on my list was my trip to San Diego earlier this month. This was my first trip to the west coast, and it was different for me. First off, that time zone difference! Whoa, that hit me around day 2. I was so tired and hungry all the time! 

I stayed at the Kimpton Alma Hotel. The staff was incredibly nice, and they had “happy hour” every night. They served wine and hor d’oeuvres. Each night it was different. The weather was a little chilly in San Diego but quite comfortable. 

Second was my travel outfit and gear. Since I will be traveling at least twice a year for my job I decided to buy better items for traveling. First off, I love my new carry-on tote from Mark and Graham. I think I may have already shared it but I love it! It looks so classy! Loving my new city sneakers as well and I did purchase some new organizational items for packing. 

Speaking of traveling I did order a second pair of travel sneakers.

This was my third favorite. I know they may not be for everyone, but I thought that they were so fun! I saw them in Von Maur and could not resist. I love seeing a classic beautiful coat with a fun pair of sneakers. 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

Still on the travel items this pill holder was my fourth favorite. I ordered this from Etsy and it’s William Morris inspired. I plan on using this for my vitamins, aspirins, and anything else I will need while traveling. 

Fifth are my new but old vintage clip earrings! I found these gorgeous things on Poshmark and had to make an offer! I have been wearing them nonstop ever since!

The sixth was my recent visit to the Franklin Artcraft Theatre. My husband and I went to watch White Christmas! It was so nice! They come out and announce the movie and say the Pledge of Alliance every time. I want to come back and watch Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and visit the new antique store called FrenChic. 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

Seventh on my list was this bundle of fresh pine that I found at the grocery store. I also found this faux silver champagne bucket at T.J. Maxx. It was a great find! I used some of this pine in my Christmas table setting which I will share later. 

Ninth is my Christmas gift. So I saw this beautiful ram bracelet on Ward Vintage’s Instagram account and had to message her about it. Turns out it is Kenneth Jay Lane and was up for purchasing. I showed it to my husband and said that I was going to message her and ask if it was still available. About an hour later, she responds and says that it is no longer available someone had purchased it! I was so mad and went on ranting in the house for a few days. What I did not know was it was my husband who had purchased it right from under me! He surprised me with it on Christmas day. I smiled and said, “very smooth”! 

And last is a new YouTube channel that I recently discovered. 

Now I don’t love everything but most of her vintage dishes and designs I do love! Especially her anchor hocking goblets in this video! I am now on the hunt for some! I do hope that you all enjoyed my December finds. Let me know in the comments section below how your Christmas was! I would love to hear from you all! Have a great Monday!

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.

Good Morning,

I had a very quiet weekend. I really needed it because on Tuesday evening I realized that I had a spider bite on my leg! You guys it got so bad that I had to go to the doctor’s office! I have been on antibiotics all week and I hate it! You may notice a big band-aid on my leg in some of my upcoming stories. I am trying to let it heal. It has gotten better but I tell you last week was rough! I am so glad that we took it easy this weekend.

On Saturday, I invited my cousin and her two boys over for dinner. It was so nice catching up with them. We have not seen each other since before Covid so it was nice seeing her and checking in. I kept things simple. I just made some breaded chicken, roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, and banana pudding. Her son specifically asked for the banana pudding. I think he enjoyed it!

Last week in the office was extremely busy and I am afraid this week will be the same, but I have less events going on. Today is Halloween and I am keeping things simple. Rick and I will order pizza, I will make a salad, cook some apple cider, and pass out candy. Lauren is going to walk around our neighborhood and “trick or treat”. She is really hanging out with friends and that’s okay! Well let’s get into my favorites for October. October goodness…. the holidays are so close now.

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

First on my list has been my pumpkin decor. The At Home Store has had the best selection of blue and white pumpkins. I especially love the Grace Mitchell blue and white pumpkin collection. I saw this one in the store a few weeks ago. 

I have loved using the Grace Mitchell pumpkins in my table decor. These are from last year. 

I did purchase a larger one. I have it mixed in my other pumpkins. It looks great!

I love this one! I found it at HomeGoods and guess what I found the link to it! Yay! 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

Second on my list has been my bedroom. It has become a quiet sanctuary to me in the evenings. I started watching the Crown recently. I am on season one! Let me know in the comments section below if you have watched it! 

Third is this delicious roasted chicken dinner that I order from a restaurant called Charleston’s. It is so good! The chicken is so tender, and the garlic mashed potatoes are a perfect pairing. Even the roasted veggies are a delight to eat. 

Speaking of the Crown, my fourth favorite is a book. I started reading this when we were on our way down to Nashville a few weeks ago. It has been so interesting to read and to learn about the late Queen. Jennifer from the Daily Connoisseur recommended this book a while back. I am glad I finally started it. 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

Fifth are my insect brooches. They are so fun to wear. People just stare at them. I think that they are still very chic when I pair them with my cardigans. I am on the hunt for more!

My sixth favorite is my office decor and clothing accessories. I love this photo. This is from my downtown office. I was working at my computer when I turned around and saw this. I thought, “well this looks autumn inspired” so I snapped a photo. Love the colors and textures!

Seventh is my vintage plate that I purchased from Pender & Peony. I actually hung it in my downtown office! It looks great! It adds an unexpected element of elegance to my space. 

And my last favorite is a new Youtube channel that I have discovered…

His name is Kevin Lee Jacobs and he is like a male version of Martha Stewart! I love his channel and his elegant style. Also, his recipes are simple and easy to make. I hope you enjoy it!

Those are my favorites for this month. I am trying to get a head start on the holidays. They are coming up so fast! I have already scheduled my Christmas events for the season. Lauren and I will be attending the Nutcracker this year, but it will be the Russian version! I can’t wait to see it! I am taking the staff that I supervise to the Cake Bake Shop for lunch, I will be booking my yearly brunch at the Ayres Tea Room soon and I will be putting up my Christmas trees in about 2 weeks! Also, the group that I joined called the Guild will be having their Christmas lunch soon and fashion show. Guess who got asked to be in the fashion show? Yep, yours truly! Let me know in the comments section below what your plans are. Have a great Monday! 

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.