Experiment with your Home

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Hello!

I completely forgot to tell you all that last Saturday my family and I went to Cincinnati, Ohio to do a little shopping. I found out that Frontgate, Ballard Designs and Grandinroad had an outlet store! I have always wanted to visit Ballard Design so when I called and got their location they told me about the other two stores. We also stopped by the Cincinnati outlet mall as well. I will be honest, I wasn’t a fan of the stores, but it was nice to see the quality of the inventory up front. What scared me away was the prices. Everything was still too high! I feel like you mind as well order online. But that is just my opinion you can check it out on your own. 

Home decor has been on my mind a lot lately. I am always looking for inspiration. I was at the showhouse recently and saw some of the rooms. I cannot wait to share the beautiful rooms with you here on the blog soon. 

I also read this recent magazine article in Victoria from Courtney Davey at Tuft and Trim. 

 

photo credit: Tuft & Trim

 

Courtney Davey’s Instagram content and blog is one of my favorites. I love the floral print couch in the photo above. That is my inspiration for my new FBMP find. One part of the article that I loved was the encouragement to experiment with your home. She said…

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Trying something new with your home décor doesn’t have to be daunting. “If you don’t love it, change it,” says Courtney. Move furniture around, hang things on the walls, try a new paint color and see how it looks. Sometimes you have to put a style choice to the test to discover whether it works in your space. “I always have a wall repair patch kit and spare paint on hand for an easy fix,” the designer continues. “I think there’s so much pressure on getting it right that it holds people back, but if you just go for it and keep a flexible mindset, it’s amazing what you can create!”

I could not agree more. There are a lot of new ideas that I have for my home and reading this passage has inspired me to move forward in my home decor ideas. 

 

 

photo credit: Tuft & Trim

 

I hope this post has inspired you to give your home ideas a try. We are only going to make this journey once. Enjoy your home and your space. Stop decorating your homes to sell them. Add color and beauty! Have a great weekend. 

Easter is fast approaching! The Belle Rose Maxi and Gatsby Pearl Necklace are on sale! Get both for only $40 (plus shipping)!

 

 

 

Indiana Decorators Showhouse ~ 2023

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And Happy Sunday!

I am heading to Columbia, South Carolina in the morning for management training. I am looking forward to networking with other paralegal supervisors in the DOJ. I attended the peony festival here in my city yesterday. I got the most gorgeous peonies this season! I hate to leave them!!! I am begging my husband to keep an eye on them while I am gone. I hope that I can enjoy them a little when I get back. I will be sure to share some photos when I return. 

I did purchase some new chairs for my front porch and a small table. It has turned into a little oasis for me. I also got a new garage cabinet organizer for my gardening supplies. I am so in love with it and so happy to finally have an area to put my items.

In boutique news, I am trying to find a new plus size spring/summer dress. It has been really hard for me to find something that is a good fit. When I find a dress I either like the top part and not the bottom, the bottom part but not the top and if I like the entire dress then it is sold out! I am trying but it is hard.

Now that the Showhouse is over I feel like my schedule has gotten a little lighter. Being about of the Guild this year has been really fun. I am hoping to become a designer liaison next year so we will see. But let me show you some of my favorite rooms from this year’s Showhouse!

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

This was the outside of the house this year. It was tucked away in a quiet part of the Meridian Kessler area here in my city. This beautiful historical home called “The Failey House” was built in 1928 and was owned by the same family for over 80 years until recently. The total square footage of the home is 7,000. It is huge! 

 

 

When you walked into this home you would have seen this beautiful wallpaper from the Great Masters Collection from Historic Royal Palaces from Cole & Son. It was truly a work of art. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley

The living room had a lot of things that I loved about it. It was designed by Cornerstone Interiors. The floor was herringbone wood floors and marble fireplace are original to the home as well as the scones are the walls which were from France! The furniture and accessories were Asian inspired. 

 

 

My next favorite room was the kitchen. Now the orange wall color was not for me but the accessories and furniture really pulled it together. I loved this green settee! 

 

 

I loved the wonderfully large island that was quartzite countertop and had walnut cabinets. 

 

photo credit: Mrs. Shockley 

 

And I cannot forget my dream stove which was this La Cornue range. Goodness, it’s beautiful. 

 

 

I really liked this piece that was in the kitchen. I believe the artist was Carolyn Bradley from Ohio and this was from the collection of Christel De Haan. 

 

 

Wallpaper is making a huge comeback. This bathroom was off the kitchen and near the butler’s pantry downstairs. 

 

photo credits: Mrs. Shockley 

 

The master bedroom was another favorite of mine. It felt like a spa. I actually got to docent this room during one of my shifts and the actually designer Jill Holt Dale was there with me the entire time explaining the process which was great!

 

 

 

I should have taken more photos of the master bathroom but I really just wanted to enjoy my docent shifts without the camera. I wanted to absorb everything that I could about being apart of the Guild, learning about designers, and understanding the process of these designer homes coming together. I just wanted to enjoy it and I did. It felt a little different being behind the scenes this time. If you want to read about the first showhouse that I visited and the second I have linked there for your reading pleasure. I hope you all have a wonderful week. I will return with some new posts and hopefully a new arrival for the boutique!

 

 

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Planning for 2021

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Good Morning,

I am headed to the office today and it will most likely be a busy day but I have my list and the day planned. With that being said it got me thinking about planners. I think a lot of us are starting to think about the next year. 

photo credits Mrs. Shockley
Most of you know that I have been using a Day Designer for a few years now. I love this particular planner. The format works so well for me. It was funny to see Jennifer L. Scott post a video about this! I thought how funny. We are all gearing up for 2021. 

I purchased this particular print from Target. It is sold out but I have found some similar ones here, here, and here. It also depends on your local Target. Some stores have them and some don’t. 

I do use the stickers when putting dates or to-dos in my planner. 

This is what the inside looks like. It’s so easy to use and I love having a weekly format. It works so well for me. I can move things around and plan easily. There are some smaller ones available. I found one here and here.

I hope you all have found a planner that you like. I know Jennifer linked different ones in her video if you are interested. Have a great weekend! 

My Black Friday Purchases ~ 2020

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Good Morning Everyone,

It’s been a busy week and I have a feeling it is just going to get worse for me. But that is okay. I have almost everything scheduled in my Day Designer and I am reading for December!

In today’s post, I wanted to share some of my Black Friday purchases. I shared this last year and most of my purchases were from Ann Taylor. I just love their clothes and accessories. Everything is so classic. So below are a few of my purchases. 

Most of you have already seen my gorgeous Kate Spade tote in dusty peony. It is still on sale if you are interested. In this photo, I am wearing this beautiful pearl cardigan and this pearl blanket scarf in gray. Both are timeless and I will be able to wear these for Christmases to come!

Here is the cardigan up close. 
Next up is another great pearl sweater in gray. This is so comfy and thick. This will surely keep me warm during these cold Indiana days. 

Having a little photo fun!

Here is another look at the sweater with my houndstooth tote from H&M. I am sorry but this is sold out. 

Now I am not a small purse kind of gal. I love my totes and large satchels so I don’t know what possessed me to order this but I did. And I am happy to report that I love this pearl purse clutch! It’s actually not that small. It’s a great size clutch. 
My next order was this lovely lace ruffle neck sweater in toasted taupe. It is very comfy and quite versatile you can dress it up or down. I loved it with my black skirt. 
Here is a full view of the sweater and pearl clutch purse. Super chic! This sweater would also be great with a pair of black slacks and a nude pump. 

Here is an up-close look at the pearl blanket scarf. I have been wearing it like crazy. It’s lovely. Some more of my Ann Taylor favorites are this beautiful shimmer poncho in rose, this great compact purse mirror, this incredibly chic midi dress in emerald green, and this jeweled sweater in blue.

I hope everyone enjoyed these items. I know I have been waiting a long time for them. Lord forgive me for my impatience. I was just so scared that everything was going to sell out and I was not going to be able to get my items. So glad that Ann Taylor made it through. Patience… still working on it. 
Have a great day!




(photos via Mrs. Shockley)



 

A Scent for Your Drawers

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Good Morning Everyone,

This weekend sure did fly by. I went to visit our local Ann Taylor store to find out what is going on with my orders. I have about 6 items that I ordered and they have not arrived yet. The other reason why I wanted to visit the store was to see some of the items in person and I am happy to say that they are beautiful pieces! I sure do hope we can get my order shipped soon. 

While at the mall I decided to visit Pottery Barn to see if I could spot any of the items that I fell in love with online. One item that I did get to see and smell was the Monique Lhuillier Scented Sachet Set.


Once I got a whiff of these I had to purchase them. Now I have had scented papers and other items in my drawers before but I really love these. The garden rose scent is light and beautiful. The rose scent is not too heavy. It is perfect. 

They were beautifully wrapped in this clear box and velvet bow. 

Beautifully scented, delicate, and feminine. These scented pillows would be perfect in your unmentionables drawer. I am also going to put them in my nightgown drawer. I look forward to the pleasant smell that I will encounter every time I open my drawers. 



















This pillow is placed in my nightgown drawer. I do love them already. These would be a great Christmas gift too. It’s something different and I am always trying to find different gift ideas. Another item that I ordered were these gorgeous pom-pom slippers. They were on sale for only $12! I ordered the gray ones. I can’t wait to see them.

I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful and feminine find. Have a great Monday!




(post not sponsored, photos via Mrs. Shockley)




Reminding Myself of Elegance

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Good Morning Everyone,

We have finished the first week of December. I have a lot on my to-do list this weekend. I have finally finished Christmas shopping and have to get ready to wrap presents and prepare my Christmas Eve dinner list. With that being said I wanted to talk about keeping a great attitude during the holidays. 









photo credit Tamara Bellis on Unsplash


I think we are all on the same page about this year. It has been a really rough year for EVERYONE and now we are going into the holidays and some of us may have to deal with family, friends, or co-workers who are not exactly our cup of tea. 

I have been going through my blog and cleaning it up. I am hoping to have this finished before the end of the month. Most of you know that the blog will be moving to my new website here soon and I am so excited! But as I was “cleaning it up” I was reading some of my past posts and finding great information and reminders in them. 







Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash

In 2018 I wrote a blog post called Radiate Calm that reminded me of why I pursue elegance. Those four ways that Lea and Jeremy provided renewed a little more drive in me today. I totally forgot to stay compose, avoid drama, find common ground, and maintain perspective. 

And most importantly “rise calmly above”. This year has made it so hard to keep those four qualities. I will be honest I have had moments of “rudeness”. Just this week I wanted to yell at the customer service representative at Ann Taylor about my order. 

I wanted to scream at the car next to me for not letting me over. I wanted to give that classless co-worker (yes she’s still around) her hateful resume verbally to remind her of ALL of the horrible things that she has said about people. 




















Photo by Anastasia Lysiak on Unsplash


But then I read this post and it reminded me to calmly rise above it. So I want to remind you all of this as well. You will have moments when you want to join in on the drama but if we wish to remain beautiful then calmly rise above it. There will be times that you do have to address people. I just pray that the Lord will guide us as to when. Have a great weekend!!! 

 

Weekly Beauty Inspiration (LABL) ~ 8

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Good Morning Everyone,

I can’t believe that Christmas is coming and that Thanksgiving is over. 2020 is closing up shortly and I know most of us could not be happier. For me, I am just praying for a better 2021 for everyone.

In today’s post, I am wrapping up my Living a Beautiful Life inspiration posts. I have finished the book and wanted to share a few last tidbits that I have learned and loved. 

I will mention this quote that Alexandra had in the last chapter.

What is elegance? Soap and water! 

~ Cecil Beaton

My goodness, I could not agree more! It’s amazing what a bath can do for some people. It also surprises me that a number of people do not actually bathe nor wash their hands but that’s another story. 




photo credit Ronnie George

The second to last chapter in the book was about your bathroom and how to create your own private oasis. Alexandra discussed taking good care of yourself. Taking every opportunity to exercise, and pamper your overstressed, highly pressured body. 

My photo at home.

In the grace notes, she mentioned having a favorite picture or piece of art in your bathroom so that you can look at it while relaxing in your bath. In the photo above I have this picture hanging. I take a bubble bath every day and stare at this while listening to a podcast. 

In the very last chapter of the book, she discusses creating a life with others. I am sure a lot of us have been experiencing this because of the global quarantines that we have been in. It has been a very difficult time being with family for some of us. I know for me it has made me aware of some things. 



Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash

I have become more aware of family needs and dreams. I have been able to get more involved in our daughter’s school work and help to navigate some decisions. 

My home has become more organized, less cluttered, and now I can sit and try to get a vision for what I want my home to look like. 

I have truly been inspired by this book and I hope you have too. It has been great reading it and has been a wonderful journey as well. I do anticipate ordering another book of hers but for right now I will be reading my Victoria: The Art of Tea book and hopefully trying some new recipes. 


Thanks for reading!