Anniversary Lunch at the CakeBake Shop

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It was our 14 year wedding anniversary last week. We have been together for 15 years total. It has been a long time. This year I wanted to have lunch at the Cake Bake Shop. My husband and I went there in 2016 for lunch (see here) and I have been wanting to go back ever since!

The owner Gwendolyn has redecorated for the spring and there are more flowers and fu-fu than ever before! It was my feminine mother-ship!

Faux flowers cascading down the sign. 
Walking up 
These faux cherry blossom trees were just gorgeous!

This is one of my favorite photos. Doesn’t this look so dreamy?

An up-close look at the counter
Wonderful aren’t they? Does everyone see those huge macaroons?
This is where you would have tea with friends. It is a charming room.

You can also buy some of the china! I seriously would like to buy a cup and saucer. 
The Gift Shop
So my husband and I sat down to order and this was the view from my seat.
So lovely….



The benches
I ordered the chicken salad sandwich on croissant with arugula salad.

My husband had the three cheese cavatappi with breadcrumbs and baguette. 

And for dessert we both ordered the caramel salt cake which is not on the spring menu at this time. 

We got it on the last day. 
We had a lovely lunch and got everything packed up and ready to go. 

I had a separate order for a co-worker also. She wanted to try some of the cake. 

Before leaving I had to visit the ladies room but saw this in there. I think this is brilliant and my have to use this idea in my bathroom. I love the tea cart idea!!!



A chandelier in the bathroom, how fitting. 
Coming back to my seat. I just could not get enough of this faux cherry blossom tree! Isn’t it exquisite?

This was in the window next to the dinning area. It was so sweet!
I had a wonderful time with my husband and cannot wait to visit her new location!!
That’s right she is opening a second location soon and it is suppose to be bigger. 
I am so looking forward to it!



(photos via Mrs. Shockley, all photos are my own)

Dinnerware at Pottery Barn

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Last week I mentioned the new dinnerware collection from Monique Lhullier (see here). On the website it looked absolutely stunning. We only have one Pottery Barn here in my city so before I headed to South Carolina last week I had to get there to take a peek.

Walking into the store and they have all of these faux flowers for sale. Isn’t it picturesque? 


Botanical Shop
Very pretty dinnerware

The salad plate 
Dinnerware collection

I really like these plates!!
But of course I had to walk around. I saw this collection which is called the Chinoiserie Dinnerware Collection.

Another collection that I saw was the Sophia Dinnerware Collection. Beautiful for the blue and white lovers!
Beautiful black and white napkins. I tried finding these online. No luck!
My husband and I looked at a few more things. Like this K. Hall Blossom collection which smells so good! Oh gosh, it is in my shopping cart online now! I wanted to purchase some of the tea towels from the Monique Lhullier collection but they were sold out. So I will order those online as well. After walkin around I decided to stop at Anthropologie.
I normally don’t like the clothes but the home decor and scents are always good. That is where I found this colorful vase. It is called the gardenshire pitcher and it is just lovely in person. Can’t you see this on your dresser with a bouquet of peonies? I know I did as soon as I saw it. 
Well, I hope you enjoyed these finds and check out your local Pottery Barn store. And always live elegant everyday!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Starburst Mirror

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In 2015 I wrote a blog post about my starburst mirror that I found recently at Pier One (see here). I was very happy with that purchase but I must admit that it wasn’t what I truly wanted.

I wanted a big one! A starburst mirror so bit that it would speak for itself. Well I finally found one at Hobby Lobby.

I am so pleased with it! It is called the Gold Starburst Metal Mirror and it is on sale now at Hobby Lobby. If you are interested move quickly. It is quite lovely. Not to big and not to little. 
It took me 2 minutes to hang it. I hope that you enjoyed this post and that you are inspired. Enjoy!!

(photo Mrs. Shockley)

My French Country Home ~ A New Book

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Sharing new books with people is a great way to communicate and share beauty. I could not wait until my copy of this book arrived. I knew that it was going to be special.

My copy at home
My French Country Home is such a reading and visual treat! I loved how Sharon discussed in the beginning chapters how she was purchasing her chateau in Normandy. She said that French real estate agents do not share information easily. She had to fax and write letters to all the local realtors and notaries but none of them got back to her!  WOW, I did not know that it would be that hard to house hunt in France. 

Makes me a little nervous as an American….

Cherry Clafoutis
I don’t want to tell the rest of the story but it is a wonderful read and a real eye opener for someone like me from the states who wants to buy a chateau someday. It won’t stop me but I now know that I must be patient. 

Rose Petal Jelly
The recipes look scrumptious and easy. I also enjoyed looking at all of the vintage china that Sharon picked up at the local brocante fairs. That is something that I would LOVE to do! Attend a brocante fair in the countryside of France. 
Pages from the book, lovely aren’t they? 

And here is a lovely photo of Sharon Santoni. I have enjoyed her two books and I love her blog. I am always excited when she posts real estate property for sale. Especially, when it is a chateau. Oh my heart just sings. I would love to see one in person. 
I do hope that you check out Sharon’s book. I know for me when I read it; it takes me away for awhile. Into the countryside walking around the cherry blossom and magnolia trees. It is truly elegant. I also wrote about her first book here. It is very inspiring also. 
(photos via My French Country Home)

South Carolina ~ 2018

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Well, once again I must travel for work this week. I will not be blogging but I hope to return back the following week.

I don’t know if I will be able to have or go on any adventures but I will enjoy myself. Traveling for work has truly been a great perk for me. I do enjoy the training opportunities and the networking. 
I hope you have a great week and see you soon!
(photos via Pinterest)

A Closet Update

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This past week my husband was working with a client on a closet renovation. She was having her closet re-done and was getting rid of some of her cabinets.

Can you believe that she was throwing these away? I couldn’t believe it and neither could my husband. So he gathered them up and brought them home. 
I was not expecting this so it was a pleasant surprise. These are my original shoe shelves in my walk-in closet.

My shoes were piled high on these shelves. 
This is what it looked liked after removing my shelves and adding the cabinets. 
I still can’t believe that she was going to throw these away!! It’s incredible! 

I love all the drawers. I can add jewelry.

Or my silk scarves! I actually love the way this looks and will be leaving these in there. 
I found this cute little blue and white ginger jar at Homegoods this weekend!

I put some blue and white pieces at the top also. I do adore the way it looks and I am so grateful to my husband and his hard work and the gracious client who gave them to me.  Thank you!

(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

My Inslee Calendar

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Oh my goodness!!! I have been an Inslee fan for a few years now! I first saw her work on another blogger’s page. I just admire her artwork. It is truly beautiful.

I signed up for her emails so I get notices about sales. Well she recently had a sale on her 2018 calendars. I had to order one.

It arrived in this wonderful box. It is very sturdy and chic!
Opening up the package….
Beautiful illustrations and the easel comes with it!
I have to say this one is my favorite! I am headed to D.C. again next month for work. Fingers crossed that I get to see the cherry blossom trees! I certainly hope I do!
I noticed her little Chanel inspired pumps in the illustration and realized that I have the same pair! Well isn’t that chic? Please visit Inslee’s website and view her work. You can also Google some of her paintings and illustrations. They are truly exquisite! 
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)