What to Clean on Incredibly Hot Days

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 …

Summer Simplicity

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 …

Hot Summer Sunday

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 …

Summer Beauty and Primping

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 …

Rainy Summer Day

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 …

Starting the Week

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 …

Returning From a Lake Vacation

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 …

First Day of July

A pink flower I spied on a recent walk The second month of summer begins! It doesn’t really feel like summer here yet in Seattle. It rained a bit yesterday, my heater is still on, and I lit a fire in the fireplace for cheer a couple gloomy evenings ago. I’m longing to wear a …

End of June

Foxglove in my garden Have you been enjoying your summer so far? Have you picnicked in a park, gone to the beach or a lake (if you have one nearby), had a barbecue, eaten at an outdoor cafe, indulged in a fudgesicle, drank an Orange Crush, gone for long walks, stargazed, napped in a hammock, …

Mid-Week in June

Strawberry Ice Mold, on Amazon The days are so nice and long right now. Let’s not squander our opportunities to enjoy warm sunny evenings. Go for walks, go berry picking, sit on the porch visiting with friends, go to outdoor cafes. I’ve banned myself from watching my shows on Tivo until it’s dark or too …