Thoughts~ Antica Farmacista Samples

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Good Morning Everyone! It’s the end of another week and the end of June. Gosh! The end of June already. I recently checked to see how many blog posts I have published and I have written and published over 800 blog posts! Wow…. I have no idea how I am still doing this. I really don’t….


I recently shared in my Youtube video that I ordered the Antica Farmacista Sample Kit. I received my kit recently and went on a spraying frenzy in my home! 

It arrived in this very decorative box. 
They provided two pouches full of samples. 
Okay, I sprayed each set and came up with some favorites and some not-so-favorites. My favorites were Casablanca, Lemon Verbena, Lush Palm, Lavender Lime, Damascena Rose, Prosecco, and, Grapefruit. 

My not-so-favorites were Fig Leaf, Vanilla Bourbon, Hana Lei, Manhattan, and Santorini. 

Of course, I loved the Casablanca scent. It smelled just like lilies to me. Fresh and beautiful. The Lemon Verbena & Cedar smelled just like fresh lemons with a light scent of cedar. Lush Palm is such a beautiful scent. It smells of green florals and gardenia. Lavender and lime is a beautiful combination of both. I could smell just enough lime and it did not cancel out the lavender. Damascena rose smells just like roses. I can’t say anything else about it. It smells wonderful!

Now Prosecco I was a little unsure about but once I sprayed it there was a beautiful citrus scent in the air and a small dose of floral. The grapefruit smelled just like a fresh peeled piece of fruit. I think I sprayed that one the most! Especially, where the dogs sleep! 

The other scents were not terrible just not my cup of tea. You can jump on the website and read their descriptions. Who knows, what I dislike you may love. We all have our own preferences. I would say this, the price for these samples is well worth it. I would definitely suggest that you order one.

I hope this was informative as well as inspiring! Enjoy your weekend everyone and thanks for reading!


(photos via Mrs. Shockley)



A Dresser Update

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Good Morning Everyone! I am beginning to count down the days until vacation. I am looking forward to being home and going to Florida. I am also hoping to get to Naples while we are there. I have always wanted to visit there. 


If you follow me on Instagram then you saw my recent photos of my dresser. I am so happy with my new piece! The photo above is the old dresser that we purchased a few months before we got married in 2003. It has served its purpose and we have moved it to our future guest bedroom. 


This is our new dresser. It’s called the Charleston dresser and it is lovely! I had to wait an entire month before I could get it delivered. It has been selling like crazy! 
The first thing that I noticed about this dresser is that it stands taller. My old one you had to bend down to pick up items from it. So looks like they are designing these better!

I adore all of the compartments for storage! I forgot to show the other side of my dresser in my video. I have two necklace storage areas located on both sides of the dresser. 

This was the other side. 
I am using both of my side drawers as toiletry storage areas. It’s nice to have those items stored away instead of having everything on your dresser. It has less clutter on it now. 

I now have a place for my heirloom items. 
I have room to look at my perfume collection. 

More space for freedom!

I am using my blue and white canister from the Library of Congress in D.C. as a place to hold my glitter puff. 
To live elegant every day is a dream. 
Even if it is just a simple dresser. I know that I will enjoy this for years to come. I hope that you all were able to view my YouTube video for this. If not you may see it below. 
Thanks for reading and watching!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

June Favorites

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It’s the first full week of summer and honestly, it has not felt like it yet. It’s been rather chilly here in Indy. I am NOT complaining! There are a lot of us here that are enjoying it.


It’s time for my June favorites…. already. I have a few new favorites this month. Most of them you guys know about already so let’s jump right in…


First on my list is this YouTube fitness channel that I found called Popsugar Fitness. Oh my gosh, it is so wonderful! I use to be able to look at my on demand and find free fitness videos but like all things they are no longer free. So it forced me to take a look at YouTube. I have an app screen on my t.v. so I can use the big screen to watch these great fitness videos and work out to them. I have been working out to this latest video below….



And this one as well.


They are awesome!


Second, on my list has been my spring dresses and skirts. I have purchased quite a few for this season and it has been great being able to just grab one from the closet, add a cardigan, some great kitten heels, pearls and head out the door!

Third on my list has been (of course), my new dining room table. I have had it for about three weeks now and could not love it more. I am so pleased with our table and chairs. It’s so elegant to me.

Fourth on my list has been my recent crock-pot dinner. On Father’s Day we kept things simple and just ate dinner at home. My husband wanted to put some filet mignon on the smoker but it would not stop raining. So I just suggested that he let me put them in the crock-pot. They turned out so wonderful! I am not a steak person but it was delicious! I added some bourbon brown sugar marinade, some salt, butter, and they cooked for 10 hours. The steak feel apart in your mouth! My family loved it!

Fifth on my list has been (of course) this year’s peony season. It was such a great season this year. I had over 5 bouquets that were flawless. Thank you Lord for creating such beautiful flowers!

My office 







Sixth on my list has been this season’s blueberries! Oh my gosh! I can’t stop eating them which honestly is a good thing. They have been so good! I am glad that I am learning how to eat things in their proper time.

Seventh on my list has been my new canvas pictures from Tuesday Morning and Homegoods. There is nothing like a new photo to make a room feel brand new. Switch out some of your pictures and change the look of your rooms in your home.


And last on my list is my new pink polish color for spring and perhaps summer. It is called Fuzzy Wuzzy. Hysterical right? But it is the perfect pink for me. I do love it and will probably wear it the entire summer.

That is it for my favorites for June. I could add more but this is enough. I hope you all find some inspiration in some of my favorites and make sure that you look up the perfect season for buying your produce. I guarantee you, you will not be disappointed.

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Royal Albert Breakfast Set

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My table at home



It’s Friday!!!!  I always feel bad when Friday comes around. We should be enjoying all the days of the week right? I am trying to work on that. I should not be celebrating just when Friday comes around. Really all of life…. we should be enjoying. That is a goal of mine. All days have value. 


I was texting my friend earlier this week and we both have a love for Royal Albert Old Country Roses china. Now I only have one teacup and saucer. One…. I have been wanting more pieces but my goodness it is expensive!


She sent me a snapshot of her breakfast set!!! Oh my gosh, do I love it! So, of course, I jumped on eBay immediately and naturally I found her set for $349! Hmmm, excuse me? I believe she paid under $50 for hers! NO FAIR!!!! But I did manage to find one teacup and saucer set for under $30 so I made an offer and it arrived this week and I couldn’t love it more. 

The small one is the regular size and I purchased it about 5 years ago. I bought it online from eBay and I think I paid around $20 for it. The bigger one is the breakfast cup. Gorgeous isn’t it?  

Such a lovely print!
It was fun comparing both of the prints and sizes. I know that I would like at least one more of the breakfast cups and I know that I want some of the dinner plates too. I wanted to bid on some this week but the seller was on vacation. I will try again next time. 

Well, I hope that you all enjoy this post. Enjoy your days always. I know that the older I get the more I want to run my own race and enjoy my own journey. If any of you have any Royal Albert Old Country Roses china at home let me know in the comments section. I am always on the lookout for new pieces to purchase. Have a great weekend!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

A New Book ~ English Etiquette

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Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash

I love a good etiquette book. Especially one that teaches common decency, grace and excellent lifestyle choices. Most of you know and I mentioned this on my Youtube channel on Sunday that Jennifer L. Scott posted on her Instagram account a book called English Etiquette: The Motivation Behind Manners. 


Of course, I went onto Amazon to find it and looked at the “preview” for it. The chapters for it looked amazing! The book is divided up into different sections. The first chapters are about Why Etiquette Matters, followed by Common Decency in One’s Own Castle, there is also a section called Gallantry and Grace, and so on and so on. It looks absolutely intriguing. 

Then I begin to search a little further and noticed that there was a second book by the same company, The Darling Academy, called Ladies Like Us. This book is about giving gentle guidance on what it really means to be a lady. They also discuss true grace, quiet confidence and surrounding yourself with everyday happiness. 

I think I may need to order both! I then went to the Darling Academy’s website and was blown away at how beautifully done it was! 
Tyntesfield Gibbs National Trust

You must visit the website. There are lots of articles on etiquette and English living. I will be taking a look tomorrow during my lunch break. I am sure that it will be a website that you will enjoy! Also if any of you already have these books let me know your thoughts please! I would love to hear them. 


Thanks for reading!!! 













(photos via Pinterest and The Darling Acadmey.com)

Flowers are Life

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Summer begins officially this week and I am already dreading the summers here. It is so hot and humid in Indy. For the first time this year, I felt like we actually had a spring! We have had 60-degree weather for most of the spring. Some nights have even gotten down to 40 degrees! I love it! I love those crisp mornings. Especially heading into the office during the weekday. I love those morning walks. 


Some mornings I get a chance to look at Instagram for a bit and I always smile when I see a post from Cathy Graham’s account. If you are not following her than I would suggest that you should. Cathy is an awarding winning artist and fashion illustrator. Her first book Second Bloom: Cathy Graham’s Art of Table was published in 2017. In her book, she covers elements that will make any event shine.  Her beautiful photos will put a smile on your face every time. 

I love all of the colors that she uses and her whimsical style. I have been taking a second look at single stem arrangements. 






Beautiful and yet so simple. 

Her gorgeous vanity. 

A recent arrangement on her Instagram account. 
Someone recently asked me, “Why do you love flowers so much”? Was it because of a grandmother or parent”? I simply told her, “I don’t know”. I just do”. But honestly, how can you not love flowers. It’s natural beauty. They are just splendid creations. I have always loved flowers and I always will. I hope that you have found inspiration in this post and follow Cathy’s account. I have also attached a video of her doing what she does best. Creating beauty. Have a wonderful Monday!!!!





(photos via Pinterest & Instagram)
(video via Youtube)



A Dining Room Update ~ Part 2

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So here is where we left off. My Charthouse Dining Room Table arrived two weeks ago along with my beautiful host chairs. I was then told that my other four chairs would not arrive until sometime later (this past Tuesday). 


Well, they have arrived and I adore the way my new dining room table looks.

My Queen Anne Chairs look lovely and are very comfortable. I selected the water white color. I wanted a neutral color and something that would give the table a fresh look.  I am so pleased to finally have a “normal” dining room table. It’s nice to have a sophisticated eating area rather than something that feels like a bar. 

It’s been a long journey but I am glad about our selections. 



Love my pom-pom throw that I found at Homegoods. It looks so comfy hanging over my host chair. 


The dark color of the table is the perfect look. I love a dark table with neutral color chairs. The contrast between the two goes so well with our other home decor. 

I look forward to entertaining this holiday season and for many seasons to come! 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)