Laduree- the Iconic Bakery

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Laduree is a french luxury bakery & sweets maker house created in 1862. It is the top premier seller of the double decker macaron. I first learned about Laudree when Darcy Miller from Martha Stewart Weddings was giving wedding ideas and discussing the macarons.

I have heard nothing but good things about the macarons and the stores are so beautifully decorated. Laduree has become one of the most iconic bakeries in the world. With their delicious treats and superb decor, Laduree is in a class by itself.

Not only does Laduree have its beautiful pastries but there is also a makeup collection that was created in 2012 that was inspired by the colorful macarons. In February 2014 jewelry designer Marie-Helene De Taillac collaborated with Laduree to create a beautiful necklace inspired by the delicate macarons.

Laduree has been featured in movies and has collaborated with fashion designers such as Christian Louboutin. They sell keychains, makeup, totes, scarves, candles and books (see here). I purchased a Laduree tote this past summer after seeing it on Pinterest. I also ordered the Laduree: Decoration and Inspiration book this past December.

And finally there are also the beautiful tea salons at Laduree. The salons are decorated in 18th and 19th century decor. With the pastel colors, marble floors and gold accents, the tea salons offer an ambiance of elegance. You can have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the salons. Unfortunately, the only country in the US that has Laduree is New York. Needless, to say once my husband and I make a second trip, I will be going! 

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash
My Laduree tote

(photo Mrs. Shockley)

Wicks and Willow Teacup Candles

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Wicks and Willow  is a small candle company where Melissa Johnson Warke makes scented soy wax candles with vintage teacups and saucers.

I first saw these candles on a blog sometime last year. I then went to her facebook page and started looking at all the feminine and chic cups. Melissa personally selects all the cups and containers from antique stores, auctions and flea markets all over the country.

These delicate treasures can be given as gifts for Mother’s Day, bridal showers, birthdays or just to say thank you! She has different scents for each cup. I just adore these. They are so special and original and after you are finish burning your candle you have a one of a kind vintage teacup to use!

She also offers wholesale cups and a refill service! I am very happy with my purchase from this company. She was very nice to work with and offers shipping! So take a look at her work below and visit her Etsy page also. Enjoy!

Bridal Shower 

A bridesmaid gift
Melissa Johnson Warke, owner 

Gorgeous for a party

My teacup candle I purchased last year in Sandlewood scent

Thrift Store Shopping- Affordable Elegance

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Thrift store shopping is one of my favorite hobbies! I go and visit the thrift store, Goodwills and antiques shops a few times every few months. I love the hunt! I love finding pieces and pulling everything together. I always find great deals and wonderful pieces.

My grandmother was a thrift store shopper. She went every weekend. The staff knew her by first name and always looked forward to seeing her. As I got older she would come and pick me and my sister up and we would go with her. She was so good at finding things. It were as though the items would just navigate to her.

I think I may have inherited that same gift. I always seem to find fantastic pieces and great clothing. I went to the Goodwill store this past weekend. We have one of the south-side of Indianapolis. This location has become one of my favorites. So take a look at some of the great items that I found. These are pieces that I was drawn to. So go and visit your local thrift store. You never know what great items you may find to add elegance to your life!

 
I found some great pillows for a great price!

I love the jeweled details. Both pillows were $3.99 each!

Oh my gosh! I loved this table it was only $40!
I could see it next to a chair with a small lamp and some
of your favorite books. Great find!

I thought this picture was great. Great photos of nature!
It was only $5.99; it was a large picture too!

This was a great picture also. It is a copy of a painting called the
“Mediterranean”. It was only $5.99! I purchased this and I am now looking 
for a frame.  

I love large platters. This is great for daily family meals to place your
main dish on. I use this all the time. This was only $3.99!

I love white dinnerware and utensils. These were only $1.99 each!

These purple goblets are great for entertaining. They were only $2.99 each!

This was a huge crock pot! It was in great condition and very clean.
Only $20! I love using these. It’s great to put your meal in before work and
come home to dinner being ready. 

I found a set for 5 mixing bowls. I only purchased the big one. 
It was only $4.99. 

Enzo Angolini pumps; these were a  size 9 1/2! Only $10!

I couldn’t purchase them. They were a size too small.

I really liked this rocking chair. It was only $29. I loved the
neutral color. 

I also found a set of 6 dusty rose place-mats. 

They were only $.99 each!


Lilly Pultizer- Colorful Living

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Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau (born Lillian Lee McKim; November 10th, 1931 – April 7, 2013), better known as Lilly Pulitzer, was an American socialite and fashion designer. She founded Lilly Pulitzer, Inc., which produces clothing and other such wares featuring bright, colorful, floral prints. As the brand is popular with high society, she was called the “Queen of Prep“. ~Wikipedia


I first learned of Lilly Pulitzer from the Martha Stewart Show. I watched the fashion show that Martha had and I just loved the colors and the textures of the clothes. I also loved the process of how they come up with the patterns for each season. Seeing the actual inspiration board was great! I love to see how the Lilly design comes together (see the show here).

There was also a fashion show (see here). The shift dresses are so colorful and pretty. The totes and accessories are lovely. I purchased one of the totes 2 years ago, (see similar here). I carry it during the spring and it adds such a pop of color to my wardrobe.

The girls dresses are adorable (see here). They are great for spring and summer and they are not to revealing. The shoes are so nice (see here). I would have to say that the Kat Kitten heel is my favorite! I think those shoes would look great with my Lilly Pulitzer tote!

She also has a book called “Essentially Lilly-A Guide to Colorful Entertaining”.  I purchased my copy early this year. It talks about Lilly and her history. I also gives tips on how to throw great parties. So purchase your copy of Essentially Lilly and check out the website. Enjoy!




My Lilly Pulitzer tote 

(photo via Mrs. Shockley)


Splendid Ways to Wear a Scarf

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Like many of you I love wearing scarves. Scarves can really dress up an ensemble or dress it down. They are very versatile and comfortable. I own several scarves and pashminas.

Pashminas are a great accessory to have because they are beautiful and functional. I always carry a pashmina when are know we are traveling, going to the movies, or visiting a doctor’s office (because they always seem to be cold) and I keep an extra one at work.

Sometimes it can be quite daunting to find a new way to where your scarf. I was doing some research on scarf tying and found a company called Maitai Collection. Maitai’s blog shows you how to tie a scarf and  how to build and accessorize a capsule wardrobe.

Her scarves are beautiful and I love her scarf rings. She has great style and just superb elegance. You should also take a look at her blog and facebook page. She has the biggest Hermes collection I have ever seen. So pull out your best scarves and get inspired by Maitai’s scarf tutorial. The links are below. Enjoy!

Scarf Rings

How-to wear scarves – Hermes scarf in a weave … – YouTube

How to wear a scarf as a necklace – YouTube

How-to wear scarves – Hermes scarf in a twist wrap – YouTube


(photos via Google)

Keeping your Handbags Elegant

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I own about 12 authentic designer leather bags. I love my bags and use them. The one thing that I cannot stand is seeing a woman pull out trash and other foreign objects out of her bag!

I just think, “Are you serious”! You don’t have time to throw the trash away but you seem to have the time to keep stuffing your bag with it. I think cleaning your bag about once a week is a good habit to adapt.

And when I say cleaning your bag I don’t mean scrubbing it down every week. Just simply getting rid of trash, receipts, old candy, hair, lint and dirt.

What I use for cleaning my bags are baby wipes, Coach Leather cleaner, Coach Fabric cleaner and a lint roller. Below are pictures of what I use and what I do to care for my bag. There is also a video from Martha Stewart and she shows how she cleans her bags. Enjoy!

What I carry in my bag is 3 small makeup bags, my Coach wallet,
Travel organizer, Coach Sunglasses and small bottle of body spray.

The black and gold item is my travel organizer. You actually use it to pack your toiletries 
when you are going on a trip but I use it for organizing bills, notes, checks, etc.

I use a lint roller to grab hairs and dust out of my bag

I use baby wipes or leather cleaner to get the dirt off.

I use small makeup bags to keep small items in. Like in my small black one I 
keep my headphones, mp3 player and charger. 

The cleaners I use on my bags. The are only $10 at the Coach stores. One is for fabric 
and one is for leather. 
http://www.marthastewart.com/243340/handbag-care-how
 
 

Masculine Elegance

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This week I am continuing with my reading in A Guide to Elegance. Last week I read the chapter on men. Here is what I read and I just thought this was absolutely splendid:

The appearance of a man is just as important as the appearance of a woman. A man should be just as well-groomed as a woman, with his fingernails short; his beard shaved as many times a day as necessary, and he should smell good only at very close quarters.

His hair should not be too long; his shirt should be immaculate, his trousers well creased, his jacket unrumpled, and his shoes shined. He should never talk too loudly in public, even if he is highly successful….

I have really enjoyed this book and will be posting more chapter reviews. Below are some photos of men who are very well groomed. These photos are from my pinterest board The Gentlemen. Enjoy!

(My husband Rick Shockley)



(photo via Mrs. Shockley & Modern Man.tumblr.com)