Floral at Ann Taylor

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A few weekends ago my husband and I took a trip to Carmel, Indiana. Now Carmel is like the Beverly Hills of Indiana. It is very beautiful and all the nice stores are located there. They have a gorgeous Ann Taylor store.

We don’t have any Ann Taylor stores left in the city but Carmel does. So, of course, I walked in and saw these gorgeous floral earrings. It was very hard for me to pass them up….

Crystal Flora Earrings

Me in the earrings. I love!




Pick them up now before they vanish! Incredibly chic!


Enjoy!


(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

The Bee Brooch

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I love a good brooch! Especially a vintage one. I have been on the look out for a “bug” brooch for sometime now and I found a small one at Banana Republic see here. But something in my gut told me to go back for another visit and I am glad that I did. I found the perfect bee brooch….

Sparkle Bee Brooch

Here are both of my brooches from Banana Republic. Incredibly chic aren’t they?
Hurry on over and get your brooch today!
#beeleganteveryday (my hashtag on Instagram)
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

What I Learned About Pearls

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I love pearls and I have said that over and over on the blog. I have learned quite a bit about this glorious jewelry statement piece. What I learned is that they are timeless, chic, and make any outfit look wonderful and they get better with age. I recently read this simple yet informative list from Matchbook Magazine about what you should know about pearls.

Freshwater pearls: come in all shapes and sizes and a wide variety of colors.




Me with my freshwater pearls that I got from Von Maur last year, see here.
Saltwater Akoya Pearls: are round, pinkish in color, and known for their luster.


Tahitian Pearls: range in color from inky-black to bluish-silvery white. 



Golden South Sea Pearls:  are rare and lustrous with warm and golden tones. 



Now pearl necklace lengths are something else you should know. 


Collar: 12-13 inches

Choker: 14-16 inches

Princess: 17-19 inches

Matinee: 20-25 inches

Opera: 35-36 inches

Rope: 37 inches


Cultured pearls are “induced” in the shell and Natural pearls grow naturally. I hope you have enjoyed this list. Understanding this little bit of information can help you to pick out the best pearls for you. Thanks for reading!




(photo Mrs. Shockley) 
(To read the original article see here) 

Spring blooms in my life….

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I have had some great blooms for spring so far. Everything from the items I planted in my yard two years ago to the home and office bouquets I have been able to pick up at my local store. I wanted to share some of the beauty that I have had for the past couple of months.

My front yard

My “Miss America” peonies that I picked up from the nursery.

My pink flowering tree

My lilac bushes

My white lilac tree. My husband will be putting it in the ground.

Our Canadian cherry choke tree. It is so fragrant in the spring.



An up close photo of the blooms on the tree.

An up close photo of my rhododendrons. 

My pink lilies at home.

These were at my office.

And last but not least my peach roses from Costco. 


I look forward to my flowers this year. Enjoy the beauty in your life. 
(all photos Mrs. Shockley)

Why I Keep A Journal

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I heard someone say some years ago that the reason why they kept a journal was because they wanted to keep a record of God’s score and that resonated with me. So I started keeping a journal in 2005.

I have written down every hardship and victory that I have gone through since then. Through out the year I revisit them. I do this to remind myself that God has not forgotten me and that victory is on it’s way.

I have gone through every thing from job loss to family feud’s. From dealing with jealous hearted co-workers to a petty ex-wife. My husband and I have seen a lot but with every valley the Lord has delivered us.

So I share this with you to tell you, keep a record. Write down your hardships and write down your victories. So when you have that moment of defeat you can go back to your journal and read how the Lord gave you victory all those other times and it will help you to keep your faith.

I just recently went and picked up a new journal from Von Maur. They are now carrying the new Kate Spade collection. If you are a flower fanatic like me then you will enjoy this collection.

Kate Spade notebooks
As I said before, record your life. You won’t regret it. 
photo via Mrs. Shockley 

To Meditate On…

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My good friend Kim gave me this to read and I really wanted to share it:


“When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of my presence with you. The Joy of my Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours. This is the secret of not only joyful living but of victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing”. 










Photo by Sergey Mind on Unsplash
” Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek my Face. Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms. Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day”. 

~Jesus Calling

Beauty While Dating

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Honestly and truly I am so glad I am married! Good gosh some of the horror stories I hear from men and women about how it is in the single world. It’s enough to make you want to re-think dating and even marrying! I hate to say that but it’s a rude, disgusting world out there.

I still can’t believe how nasty women have gotten. It still shocks me! Well, as you can already see I have some more tips from my fav author on how to have poise and mystery while dating.

“When you dress beautifully, behave graciously, and exude class wherever you go, people will notice. You will be intriguing to those who also care about these things. With your excellent manners and grace, you will automatically weed out all of the potential suitors who are, well, not suitable”. 




photo credit website

~ Always present your authentic self. Never hide things or pretend to be someone you are not in order to impress a man.


~ Dress alluringly, yet tastefully. You should feel both comfortable and stylish in your clothes. You want him to focus on you, not your cleavage, so don’t feel the need to lure him that way. Your intelligence and natural beauty is enough!
photo credit Sinclair & Moore

~ Discuss interesting things such as your favorite books, films, and places to travel. Get an idea of what common interests you share. 


~ Never feel pressured to do anything you are not comfortable with. 


Photo by Євгенія Височина on Unsplash



~If he insists on paying, accept graciously, but be sure to treat him to something down the line, whether it’s lunch the next week or a meal you make for him.

~ On the first date maintain your air of mystery. He doesn’t need to know your entire dating history or why the last guy jilted you. These things can come out later, but for the first date, keep it light. 


~ We all know first dates can be nerve-racking, but don’t get drunk! Keep your wits about you and never go over the limit of how much alcohol you can tolerate. 


~ Avoid expressing your emotions online or in texts. Be respectful of what you share about your new beau on social media.






~ If you really like him, let him know. There is no need to play silly games. Remember, you are a catch! He will most likely be thrilled to have snagged such a poised lady.



~ Take your time. Just as you’d savor a delicious feast, savor the romance and how it unfolds. Don’t rush things. This is the most magical time in the relationship!


I hope you enjoyed these tips! I know I have! Even though I have been married for 13 years I can still use some of these reminders. 
(text via Jennifer L. Scott)