“Summer,” by Alphonse Mucha Don’t just sit inside in front of the computer or TV (or both!) this weekend. Make the most of your summer. Go outside! If you don’t have the budget for a restaurant, movie, club, shopping or other treats, do something fun and free – visit a park, go to the library…
What I’m burning in my home lately: Fleur Cherie, from L’Occitane QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Owl Lunch Bag, at Paper-Source Refresh your home: Open doors and windows to let in sunshine and fresh air. If you have air conditioning or central air, do this later tonight when it’s cooler anyway. Even if you have…
A charming vintage copy of a British homemaking magazine, on eBay Sometimes I use creative little tricks to inspire myself to keep my home clean and well maintained. For example, I imagine I suddenly have to move and sell the house in a month. While this isn’t actually a very likely scenario (at least let’s…
When it’s too hot to burn a candle for fragrance, I spritz my home with Green Tea Lemon Body, Room and Linen Spritz My house, like so many in Seattle, doesn’t have air conditioning. We really only need it a couple weeks a year, usually in late August. Then we finally hit the high 90s…
Vintage Sunflower Postcard This week I’m striving to simplify my home a bit – removing some of the possessions I own and prioritizing those items that are truly useful, beautiful and enjoyable. I’ll be going through every room in my house (except the garage, that’s too big of a project!) looking for things I can…
One of my dogs, happy and tired after swimming in the river and running around at the dog park QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Too lazy to squeeze lemons and strain raspberries today, so this is what I’m serving my household today as we relax outdoors. Make a pitcher of sun tea, squeeze your own…
What I’m wearing on my eyes tonight: Moonshadow Palette by Sephora It’s summertime! Give yourself time (and permission) to lounge about a bit, enjoying sunshine and warm weather. I’m primping today, preparing to go out to dinner tonight with the girls. We’ll be eating in an outdoor cafe, so I’m using my foundation with the…
Marimekko Umbrella, on Amazon Here in Seattle, we know we can’t gripe about summertime because so many people are suffering from a heat wave elsewhere. So I won’t whine about not being able to wear a sundress, and having to stay indoors today. I’ll try to think of the positives – for example, my cousin…
from a vintage illustration by Paul Berthon It’s the start of a new week! Time to work hard, but also carve out some time every evening for relaxing. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Make menu plans for the week; create grocery list Start the week off fresh – empty all trash cans and recycling, as…
I spent the week at a lake house in eastern Washington, admiring this amazing view I’m refreshed and relaxed from my vacation with friends at a lake house. Now that I’m back, though, I must confess I’m stressing out a bit at catching up with work, housework and laundry. I’m going to a birthday party…