Elegant Bedroom Essentials

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Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash


Good Morning Everyone!

I hope everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving. We really enjoyed ours. It was just me, my husband, the kids, and one of the boys has a girlfriend so she came. It was very nice! We had a nice quiet family dinner. 

It’s Cyber Monday! All of the sales have begun. I started my “sale hunt” on Friday. There were quite a few items that I wanted from Ann Taylor and I ordered this gorgeous belt from H&M. It arrived this weekend. It’s beautiful in person. I also ordered this houndstooth handbag from H&M. It has not arrived yet and this beautiful dusty peony Kate Spade tote for 40% off!  I also found this beautiful Kate Spade Satchel for $99! It comes in a beautiful pink mauve color. Don’t wait on it….

In today’s post, I wanted to talk about elegant items for the bedroom. I have been looking at certain accessories in the bedroom to update. I do want to change around our bedroom but my husband doesn’t like it when I move furniture around but I am getting so bored with the way our room looks. It has been this way since we build our home in 2013. I need a refresh!


photo credit Alex Papachristidis Instagram

I am trying to find inspiration. I really want to get rid of our television cabinet in our room. I want something different. 


photo credit Aerin Lauder Instagram


I was really inspired this week to make a list of beautiful things for my bedroom. I am still on the hunt for a nightstand table that is long. I have also been looking at bedside carafes. I found this gorgeous one on Amazon.

I also love this porcelain cup from H&M. Beautiful pen holders have been added to my list such as this mint julep cup from Amazon. This would be such a beautiful piece to hold your pens or pencils in your bedroom. In my office right now I have my pens in a beautiful small crystal vase. Here is a similar one if you are interested. 




















photo credit French Manoir Instagram


A bedroom bench is always on the list. I still love the one I have from Walmart. There are so many options now. Like this one from Wayfair or this one from Walmart.

And the last item on my list is a beautiful throw. I love having a soft light pink throw in the room. Like this one from Wayfair or this one from Kelly Clarkson.


I hope you found some beautiful items that you could bring into your home. Our homes have become a place that we are spending more time at. Make it beautiful while you are there. 

Enjoy the day!



November Favorites

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Photo credit Aerin Lauder Instagram

Good Monday Morning!

Thanksgiving is in a few days and I am excited to celebrate. This weekend my family and I attended the Winterlights festival at Newfields. I shared a short video and some photos on my Instgram account if you are interested in seeing it. It was a nice event. 

Well, let’s get into my favorites for this month…

My first favorite is my new foundation. I am wearing the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Soft Matte foundation and my color is 5N1 (rich ginger). I love it! I never thought that I would love foundation but I do. I really do. I love this foundation. It works so well for my skin. No regrets trying it. 

Second, are my Talbots green heritage mules. They are so chic and so holiday-inspired. They are 40% off right now if you are interested! 






Third, on my list is my tiered smock dress from Ann Taylor. It is so comfy you guys and chic! It is 50% off right now if you are interested. It’s neutral and versatile. I have worn it several times already!

If you missed my blog post about my other favorite dresses for this month click here.

Fourth are my metal reindeer from Target. I love these on my table they are great centerpieces and are very well made for only $15! I know these are selling out like crazy in my local Targets. Pick them up soon if you want some!

The fifth has been my flocked pre-lit Christmas tree from Walmart! There are only 3 left on the website so I found this one that may cost a little more and might be a little better quality. It has great reviews and there is a 7ft and 9ft available. There is also this one available at Home Depot for $99! 

It is covered in my Barbie ornaments this year and we love it. I found this gorgeous ornament on Poshmark last month. 

Sixth was my weekend with my very good friend. She and her family came down from South Carolina to visit us and see the Cake Bake shop! We had a great time at dinner and antiquing on Saturday. I wished she lived here! Having good friends in one’s life is a great treasure! 

Seventh on my list is my Victoria The Art of Tea book. I have not head a chance to read it yet but from what I can tell from the first few pages it is going to be marvelous! It is a beautiful book full of recipes, tips, and beautiful photography. You will learn essentials for differentiating tea and tools of the tray. I am also hoping to get Our Hearts are in France. This looks like another book to add to my treasures. 

And last but certainly not least is my free package from Zoe at Von Maur. I went in to purchase some facial cream and she sent me this package with free items. I am loving my new leopard and lily cosmetic bag from Estee Lauder. It is the perfect combination. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am going to try to get a Youtube video out this week. I will be taking the rest of the week off from the blog. Enjoy your families if you can and be safe everyone! Thanks for reading! 

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Mary Poppins Tote

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Good Morning Everyone,

I hope everyone is ready for Thanksgiving. This weekend I am going to go out and get the produce that I need for my recipes. Those are the last things on my list. This holiday season will be a little sad. We are all so worried about COVID. It’s hard. 

Let us get into today’s post. I am sure that most of you saw on my Instagram account that I purchased the Mary Poppins weekender from Etsy.  You guys I could not be happier with my purchase! Now it is huge and has tons of room but I love it. 

I think it is a total classic! I have been carrying it every day since it arrived and I just adore it. Our daughter makes a comment about it every morning. She likes it herself which is surprising to me. There is a ton of room on the inside and it came with a shoulder strap. 

It has lots of room and is very spacious on the inside. 

There are “purse feet” at the bottom and the handles are completely solid and leather. 

You also have the option to personalize the bag with a leather hangtag. You can get your initials placed on it. I didn’t want to do that. I liked it the way it was. 

The seller also packaged it very well in this dust bag which I was really surprised to see after I opened it. The bags are made with such care and craftsmanship. 

I really do love my bag. I think I will have it for a very long time and who knows maybe Lauren will take it and carry it someday. I hope she does…. have a great weekend!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley) 

Hotel Elegance

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Good Morning Everyone,

Hope everyone is well. I must confess I have not watched the news in 3 days. I needed a break! I’ve been watching vintage Martha Stewart shows and staring at my Christmas trees. All four of them are up and we are enjoying them. 

Did anyone watch the new Hallmark movie called A Timeless Christmas? I really enjoyed that this weekend. Even our 15-year daughter watched it with me! Extraordinary right? Okay, let’s get into today’s inspiring post. 



















Photo by Dilyara Garifullina on Unsplash



So I am still reading Living a Beautiful Life and gleaning so much from it. One section of the book I wanted to share in a separate post. Well, it’s more like one paragraph. 

Alexandra talked about a famous actress that she knows and how she is on the road for long periods of time, living out of her suitcase in ordinary hotel rooms. She said that this actress craved a place to retreat to when she wasn’t on set. She said that she was starved for beauty and her ugly rooms made her nervous. 

So her solution was to bring a suitcase of things that will give her a sense of connection while she was away. So she packed framed family pictures, some pretty pillows, a blanket cover and top sheet, some pillowcases, scented candles, and an elegant scarf to drape around. 












photo credit Clay Banks 

photo credit casadevalentina

How glorious!!!!! Have any of you ever done this before? I have!!!! We use to go to these office retreats and we did not stay in the best hotels. I would always pack some of my own linens and candles. I remember some of my co-workers stating that they could smell flowers down the hall. I would never tell that it was me. 

Now if we are staying with some friends I usually don’t pack any candles. I try to be mindful of their home and that having my candles burning in my room and throughout their home would not be a good idea unless they said it was.  

What are your thoughts? How do you feel about packing a suitcase full of beauty and pleasure for yourself? I know I have gone to stores and purchased bouquets to put in my room. Now I would only do this if I were staying somewhere for more than a week. 

What do you think? Have you packed your favorite items before? Please share below and have a great Wednesday!





Weekly Beauty Inspiration LABL ~7

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photo credit Mariah Hewines 
Good Morning Everyone,

I hope you all had a good weekend. With all of the Covid news constantly it can really get depressing. I did have a wonderful weekend. My very good friend (whom I met from my blog) came to Indy this weekend to visit and to dine at the Cake Bake Shop!

We had a wonderful weekend full of laughs and antiquing! It’s been a long time since I have been able to hang out with a friend and discuss girly things! I hope we can get together again soon!

photo credit Mr. Shockley 

Let’s move right into our weekly inspiration from Living a Beautiful Life. I finished Chapter 4 which is called “The Bedroom: Maintaining Balance Between Busyness and Solitude.” I am going to start off with this quote that Alexandra mentioned, “To be in hell is to drift: to be in heaven is to steer.” Wow…

That quote from George Bernard Shaw spoke volumes to me. Even the Bible says, “write down the vision make it plain”. Everything we do should have a purpose even solitude.  

Virginia Woolfe said, ” In solitude, we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us” and indeed we do. 




















Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

Alexandra said to do things that will refresh your mind and relieve tension. To say “no” without going into fictitious details. Create an atmosphere in your private place, an atmosphere with the illusive ingredients of mystery, feminity, dreams, hopes, fantasies, and love. 

“Once you’re settled in bed, a bottle or pitcher of cool, fresh water with a drinking glass at your bedside is a simple luxury. Sipping water is a satisfying health aid. Squirt in some fresh lemon or lime juice when in the mood, or add a paper-thin sliver of orange peel.” 

Sounds wonderful!



Photo by Mariah Hewines on Unsplash


Alexandra continues with more wonderful ideas She said, “Most important is that you do things for your own enjoyment. William Solane Coffin, said there is great joy in self-fulfillment. An evening alone in bed in a lovely nightgown could make your solitude an extra-special blessing.” 

I couldn’t agree with him more….

photo credit: Tumblr

I hope everyone enjoyed today’s tips from Alexandra. I still can’t believe this book was published in the 80’s. I would have love to have this as a teen! I hope everyone has a great Monday!


Enjoy! 

A Target Run ~ Part 2

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Flocked white wreath
And it is Friday…. already. This week went by really fast. As I stated in Wednesday’s post I am in the office this week and next. I have forgotten how to be in the office all week. Boy, it’s a lot but it’s going well. 

I know some of you may have started decorating for Christmas and so of you may have not. I have started and finished. That’s another reason why I am so exhausted but I am very pleased with how it turned out. I do want to share a few items that I saw at Target recently.

I loved all of the picks and organic looking faux flowers. Everything looked so rich this year and real. I have been changing a lot of my decor. I want simple and elegant. I threw away a lot of hodgepodge items. 

I purchased a hand full of these flocked pine stems from Target. They look so wonderful with my velvet poinsettias at home. 

Also found all of these wonderful candles. The peppermint dream candle and apple cinnamon joy candle looked wonderful. 


There were pillows galore! This one is my favorite. 

These gold standing reindeer are the epitome of Christmas elegance. I had to grab some for my dining room table. They are outstanding centerpieces. 

I have been seeing these clear bottle vases everywhere. Not really my cup of tea but they are lovely. 

Beautiful wreaths all down the aisle. They look so life-like and chic. 

Once I got home I could not wait to put my flocked pine stems with my velvet poinsettias. This is one of my favorite Christmas arrangements I have ever made. 

I just adore my reindeer….. 

 

And I finally got a flocked Christmas tree! I love my tree you guys! It turned out so well. I actually put all of my Barbie ornaments on this tree. I would love to buy a second one but we will see. 

I am really enjoying decorating this season. I took my time this year. I didn’t want to rush through everything. I am trying to find my “holiday style”. It is changing. I want more order in my decorating and ornaments. I will share more with you guys later. Enjoy your weekend!


(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

November Dresses

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Good Afternoon Everyone,

I have been so busy this week. For one I am back in the office for this week and next week only. I am filling in for a friend. I am also trying to get my Christmas trees up and decorated. I feel so hurried this week but I keep telling myself to take my time and enjoy the moment. 

I quickly wanted to share some recent purchases. I shared these on my Liketoknowit account a few days ago. I hope you enjoy them. 

My first dress is a floral wrap dress from Target. When I saw this last weekend I had to have it. I love the colors and the way it fits. It’s a beautiful dress. It’s very professional, very elegant and is only $22! It comes in a lot of sizes including plus sizes. Now, this dress does run big. I had to go down one size. That made me happy. I am wearing a large. 

My second dress purchase was this smocked plaid dress from Target. It fits great as well and I never thought that I would like a plaid dress. This is great for fall or winter. This dress goes all the way up to a 4X! They also carry it in pink and I am seriously thinking about ordering that for summer or spring. This dress runs big as well. 

Now, this dress I ordered from Ann Taylor. This is the tiered mock shift dress and I love it! I didn’t think I would but it fits great! I have worn it already and can’t wait to wear it again. This dress also runs big so I think you can size down if you want. 



I also found this wonderful rhinestone-button cardigan at H&M. It was only $29 and I have worn it a few times already. It runs big but the color is beautiful. 
I hope everyone has found something that they like. Those dresses from Target are awesome. I hope someone will be able to purchase one. Have a great Wednesday everyone!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)