Elegant Revelations

Every once in a while I find a list so inspiring that I repeat it in my mind, print it out and make notes. I recently read this list from another blogger. I thought it was so inspiring that I had to share it.

1.When you don’t want a vacation from the life you live everyday, that is a very good sign you’re listening and abiding by your authentic self’s yearnings and innate predilections.

2. When life gives you unexpected good news but you don’t know how to deal with it, be grateful. The universe doesn’t give what it doesn’t think you can’t eventually handle (excuse the triple negative).

3. Being around sincerely positive people will change your life for the better if you’ll let them.

4. We often pick small battles with others when we aren’t content with how our lives are currently going. Instead, take a breath and a step back and ask yourself, is this debate really worth the energy or do I just want to feel as though I can have control over something? Let it go. You have more control over your life’s direction than you realize, and in time, so long as you are making progress, no matter how small, the change you seek will come.

5. Save one-third of what you make before taxes. You’ll have a much larger smile come April 15th (for U.S. residents).

6. The little everyday luxuries make a tremendous difference in the quality of our lives. 

7. Say no when it doesn’t feel right even though you can’t explain. Something that you will want to say yes to will be glad you waited, and so will you.

8. Learning something new will seem impossible initially, but eventually, the wall of obstruction to the knowledge you seek will begin to crumble as a result of your patient persistence.

9. Listen to what speaks to you and follow it where it leads. 

10. Work better, not more.

If you want to read more from this blog post by Shannon Ables from the Simply Luxurious Life see here.
(photo via This is Glamorous) 

Keeping an Air of Mystery


We are in an age where sharing everything has become the norm and keeping things private has become weird. It is so easy to get caught up in sharing too many details about one’s life.

I wrote a small blog post about this last year, see here. I try to make sure I practice this on a daily basis. Learning to find the balance between sharing your life and keeping things private is very hard sometimes.

We as women can have a tenancy to want to share and discuss everything with our girlfriends, co-workers, and family members. I have had my “oops I should have not said that” moments. I hate that! But since I am getting older I am learning to pause in between my thoughts before I speak.

There are some things that should be left unsaid. I had someone recently tell me that I didn’t post as much on Facebook anymore. I was very happy to hear that. For the most part I post photos or statuses that inspire. When I joined Facebook in 2011 I was venting things and emotions that I should have kept to myself but as I can see I am learning.

I read this recently from Jennifer L. Scott’s book about “the Air of Mystery”. She said, “Poise resides in the space between our thoughts. If we pause, we are less likely to say something that is not in our best interest. We will not engage in a “Twitter feud” because we will have paused and assessed. Your secrets will stay safe. We must remember that poise is in the pause. Pausing when agitated. Pausing when excited. Pausing before saying something that isn’t wise to say.

I could not have said it better myself. I am going to make an extra effort in keeping an air of mystery. Because there is beauty in mystery.

photo credit Llyas Bolatov

Lovely Little Things

This past weekend I went and visited some stores that I haven’t been to in awhile. One was Steinmart and the other was Tuesday Morning. I found some great goodies there and great deals!

I love this pillow!! So feminine, fun and chic!

I didn’t get this arrangement from Steinmart but I just couldn’t pass it up!
I found it at T.J. Maxx. Sorry I could not find a link for it. 



Great stripe curtains at Tuesday Morning. 

Ohh, I love these blue and white curtains!

Another great floral arrangement!




Sorry but I could not find links to these products but I do hope that they inspire you to do some spring decorating!
(photos via Mrs. Shockley)

Being Elegant During Public Speaking


Public speaking always seems to be a dangerous job but one can accomplish this task with great elegance. I am always nervous when I speak in front of people but then I do some “self-talk” and remind myself of who I am and what goal I am trying to accomplish.

I am narrowing down to the last few chapters of Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic. In this week’s reading Jennifer L. Scott gave 5 tips for public speaking:

1) Own the space:
Whether you are on stage or standing at the head of a table, get comfortable in the space as quickly as possible. Act as if you belong there (because you do)!


2) Good posture:
All eyes will be on you. Your good posture is important now more than ever. Stand tall.


3) Project:
Make sure everyone can hear what your’re saying by speaking clearly and projecting your voice toward the back of the room. Rather than speaking from you throat, picture speaking from your belly. Let your words come out with strength and volume.


4) Don’t be afraid to move:
Avoid deer- caught-in-the-headlights syndrome by moving. It’s okay to gesture with your hands and to walk around (if appropriate). If you are being filmed, ask the director to define the parameters of your movement. 


5) Make a connection:
Whether you are pitching a job to potential clients or touting the merits of you best friend at her wedding, the entire point of public speaking is to make a connection with your audience. You have been asked to speak because you have something to impart that could benefit your viewers. Don’t make speech about you, make it about what you can give. 

If you want to read some more of my posts from this fabulous book see below:

Polish Your Poise


Polish Your Posture


Speaking Well ~ Polish Your Poise


Elegance in Punctuality





                            Photo by Melnychuk Nataliya on Unsplash


Second Hand Finds ~ Part 2

In 2014 I wrote about how I love to thrift store shop (see here) and how most of my home is full of second hand finds. I am still on the hunt for great things and my love for “thrifting” has not stopped. A couple of weekends ago I visited my favorite flea market the Beech Grove Emporium.

I found some wonderful things and just wanted to share my finds….

These two peony urns were $24.99 each! 

This is an Arthur Wood Fine Staffordshire Ironstone vase
I only paid $3!

I found this homemade gift bag. I gave it to my friend for her birthday.







Nice little clear vase with small details at the bottom for 80 cents!




I saw this at the Goodwill for $35! I should have bought it!

I got these two small Christmas trees and this blue and white vase 
from the Goodwill for just a few dollars. 

(photos via AHFE)

Insta ~ Inspiration (Instagramers I Follow)

Inspiration is everywhere! We have so many websites and apps now that help us in making life beautiful. I have to admit that Pinterest and Instagram are my favorites!

There are a lot of creative people in the world and I have my favorites on Instagram. So I thought I would share who I am following on Instagram and once you check out their page you will be inspired too!

He is so dapper!! I love his style!

I wrote about her fantastic style also, see here.

I wrote a blog post about her see here.

I wrote a post about her, see here.

I love her. She has become my best friend online!

She has great jewelry!

I love their iconic chinoiserie wallpaper! 

She has a wonderful blog also! 

I love her travels!

Another fellow blogger that I follow.

They have some of the best silver! So classic!

She is a fantastic blogger!



She is author of the fantastic book My Stylish French Girlfriends.
I wrote about it here.

She is such a great decorator of blue and white!
I admire her so much!

My favorite author (of course) Jennifer L. Scott
I continue to write about her books on the blog.

She is a great fashionista and has a great blog also!

And last but certainly not least my favorite business mogul Laura Slatkin and she is following me on Instagram! Talk about a honor!
(all photos via Instagram)

My Current Wish List at Von Maur

I have talked about this store before but I am just such a huge fan of Von Maur that I have to share my “wish list” from them. I went in a couple of weekends ago to look around. I found a few great items that I want.

I always create a mental wish list in my head from this store and take photos. By the grace of God I have been able to complete every wish list there! It is fantastic! The customer service is wonderful and the products are good quality. Here are a few of my current favorites….

I love this ginger jar!!! It was only $50!

This smells delightful!

I love these shoes and ended up buying them!

I ended up buying this one in black! It reminds me of the Prada Saffiano tote with the double zip.

And of course this has nothing to do with my list at Von Maur but I just love this bouquet that was in my office this week! I hope you enjoyed my dream list and start your own soon!
Be chic!
(all photos via Mrs. Shockley)