SUMMER FRIDAYS: BEAUTIFUL THINGS I'M LOVING THIS WEEK

Welcome to the weekend! It’s no secret I’m attempting to blog more often (ya’ll, I’m aiming for that MWF grind, so visit often and keep me accountable!) For the summer I thought I would introduce a new series called Summer Fridays - essentially a mix of beautiful things I’ve found, inspiring articles, and spaces or places that are inspiring me. Maybe we’ll see some art, maybe a new favorite book. Essentially a great way to spend the second half of your workday every Friday. For now I’m calling the first college football game to be the end of summer - because that’s just how you mark the seasons in Texas.

+ I’m sure you’ve heard we just got back from a trip to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico (of course you’ve heard because I haven’t stopped talking about it since we booked 3 months ago). I cannot more highly recommend the hotel we stayed in but I also just found this hotel and it was everything I could do to stop myself from booking a trip back. (PS: You can view my Travel Notes from the trip here. If you haven’t planned your summer vacation yet you should tune in!)

Source: Acre Baja Instagram

+ If you’re more of a lake person this home tour from Garden and Gun magazine of a contemporary lake house in Alabama will take your breath away. The homes dark moody walls contrast with soft, textural furniture giving modern vibes but still cozy. And you HAVE TO see the floors.

+ Summer in Houston is here and I am LIVING in these sandals from Madewell and these shorts. I have never owned a pair of jean shorts I liked - but I wake up and pull these on just about every morning!

+ Too hot for makeup? I linked this before but I will never stop singing the praises of Super Goop’s mattifying tinted sunscreen. I am a sunscreen addict and I’ve switched entirely to this as my only “makeup” most days. It’s like a real life instagram filter with SPF40. Plus their products are cruelty-free!

+ Our backyard farmhouse table benefits from the beautiful shade of a massive pecan tree…and is also always covered in debris from that pecan tree. This adorable little dustpan set is exactly what I need. Honestly y’all I had no idea how trashy pecan trees can be. I am always on the lookout for good looking everyday items for my house - slowly upgrading.

+ Speaking of our backyard, I’ve been collecting endless inspiration over on my pinterest page. We are ready to turn this space into the place ALL the neighbors want to hang out. I’m really drawn towards split-levels, green walls, and different areas clearly defined by changing materials. (Also the entire home tour this image is from is wonderful.)

Author Alice Nelson’s home in Perth via Homes to Love

+ One last note about the outdoors - in case you missed it: I revisited why we paint our porch ceilings blue on the blog earlier this week and included some of my favorite blue paints for the job.

S H O P T H I S P O S T

I hope you enjoyed and maybe even found something you loved too! See you back here next week same place same time!

6 REGISTRY GIFTS WE STILL USE EVERYDAY

Photo (of my bouquet!) by Gloria Goode Photography

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Wedding season is upon us and while I’m no longer a newlywed, weddings are still a feels-like-once-a-month occurrence in my household. We’ve attended two weddings already this year (down from three this time last year) I know of at least two people who will be getting engaged in the coming months, and my very best friend and soul mate is getting married in February. All this to say: weddings are still very much a part of my life.

P and I received so many beautiful and thoughtful things but these few items have been our ride or dies, day in and day out:

1 | Stemless Wine Glasses

When I say I use these everyday, I mean everyday. Somehow we ended up with 14 of them, but we’ve used them all. From dinner parties to my everyday water drinking adventures. They’re a great size (almost 12 oz), sturdy, dishwasher safe. We use them for wine (duh), margs, water, juice, even small floral arrangements. I love these simple, beautiful glasses. I am all for something that can serve you multiple purposes.

2 | A Great Vase

We received a beautiful dark green glass vase. It lives on my dining table and is often elevating yard clippings and grocery store flowers to centerpiece status, but it even looks good empty with a pretty candle. Since we got it I haven’t been able to find the same one again (believe me it would become my go to wedding/housewarming/everything gift). But I’ve linked a couple similar ones for you that have the same feel. PLUS they’re less than $3 a piece!

3| Marble Lazy Susan

Honestly I registered for this because we had a round dining table in our last place and I thought it would be so pretty in the middle. Now it lives on our coffee table as a large tray that holds all sorts of things: remotes, florals, candles, coasters, and a little decor. I don’t have to get off the couch to reach one or the other, just turn the susan. While I love them as trays this marble one would look good in a kitchen counter corner corralling frequently used spices and utensils, on a shelf in your open pantry, or of course, on your dining table.

SHOP THIS POST

4| Electric Kettle

Let me preface this by saying when I registered for this I wasn’t a big tea drinker. I think I had tea drinking aspirations but honestly I use it constantly. I use it to make my matcha every morning, hot cocoa in the winter, instant oatmeal, french press coffee, and I love being able to offer tea to guests and have it ready so quickly! It’s so easy - especially compared to my previous microwave-a-cup-of-water-until-it-boils method. This is so much classier.

5| A Great Comforter

Specifically THIS comforter from Pottery Barn. It’s linen on top and satin underneath. Cool in summer and just warm enough for our Southern winters. It’s light and fluffy and I love the look of the linen. Can I describe a comforter as scrumptious without you unfollowing? I’m doing it anyway.

6 | Hands Free Trash Can

When I wrote the thank you for this I told the gift giver that they changed my life. Not having to touch your trashcan when throwing things away (or in my case, when your hands are covered in kitchen goop) is amazing. Warning: the habit of just waving your hand over the can will become engrained and you will look like an idiot doing it to other peoples’ trashcans, however then you have an opportunity to tell them about your life altering robot trashcan and then you can be that person who talks about her trash can at parties and social gatherings. In all seriousness. Register for this trashcan. OH and it comes in rose gold.

ON THE BOARDS: SOFT BLUES FOR BABY BOY

Ok y’all! This one is near and dear to my heart. I feel absolutely honored to design this nursery for my dear, dear friends. The fact that Mom has excellent taste is just icing on the baby shower cake. This room has been crafted from a desire for soft neutrals (surprise…), soothing blues, with distinct instructions that it not feel “too baby”. The space needs to feel great as a nursery but also stay current as baby grows or if this room gets converted back to an office.

(EDIT: Just a fun note, this room has been completed and we revealed it here!)

We really overhauled this room, but the biggest change was adding the board-and-batten paneling that we painted a soft, pretty blue (you can see a progress shot of this on my instagram!)

1. Semi-flush ceiling light 2. Pottery Barn Classic Cup Pull 3. Pottery Barn Dresser 4. Pottery Barn Rug 5. Adorable Bunny Mobile from Etsy 6. Minted Fine Art Print 7. Crate and Barrel Gustavian Crib 8. Restoration Hardware Cotton Canvas Blackout Curtains in Warm White Drapes 9. Schumacher Castille Tape in Sky 10. Farrow and Ball Pale Powder; Benjamin Moore Simply White 11. Restoration Hardware Glider and Ottoman 12. Crate and Barrel Jenny Lind Floor Lamp

Baby is due in just TWO WEEKS and we’re all hard at work getting everything ready. I can’t wait to share the finished room with you! Nurseries are so fun because EVERYONE is so excited, every piece needs to be functional and full of just as much joy and life as the new little one being brought into it!

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.