Random thoughts on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning:
1. I can’t believe it’s August. My kids are going back to school in two weeks, but we are starting online initially.
I hope we have high school football.
Fingers crossed for Friday Night Lights.
2. We finished the fence project in the backyard and I can’t wait to show it to you. Now we are working on planter boxes with light poles to add light to the back yard.
3. I’m watching the best series right now on Netflix. It’s called Gran Hotel. It’s a period drama with Spanish subtitles and mystery and romance and I feel like I should stop writing this blog post and go and watch another episode.
I’m trying to pace myself, but it is SO good.
4. It was an amazing week on the blog. There’s the most amazing vacuum giveaway going on right now and an incredible door makeover and wait until you see what I found at an estate sale.
5. I’m working on fall crafts right now. Is there anything you’d like to make together?
6. And I just accidentally tweezed a hole in the middle of my eyebrow.
Sigh.
There are days when I am amazing. And days when I’m SO CLOSE.
And now?
Let’s see all the incredible stuff I found for us this week.
This amazing beach house tour.
Wait until you see the before.
Take the tour here.
I wasn’t even thinking about Christmas.
Until I saw this pretty home tour.
Take the Christmas in July home tour here.
Somewhere along the way I fell off the copper bandwagon.
But now?
I’m back on and decorating with copper decorating tips like these.
Have you ever heard of a waffle charcuterie board before?
It’s the perfect way to start your day.
See the how-to here.
In random news this week:
This amazing DIY
The perfect summer pie crust
These small kitchen ideas
This DIY fluted dresser
How to care for every type of fabric
This glamping camper
Have you heard of cottagecore?
17 habits that will change your life
And this.
You know I love historic homes. There is so much to learn from them.
These lessons learned from older homes
And one more for the road
If you are new here, I just wanted to share one of my favorite books that I’ve ever written.
It’s all about finding your style.
And in AMAZING NEWS?
IT’S ON SALE TODAY FOR $5.95.
Get your copy (and one for a friend–they make great Christmas gifts) here.
Dreaming about these houses; thank you for helping me live vicariously thru your lens!
My sis and niece are sad about the first 9 weeks of online school too. She's a senior cheerleader and so wanted to cheer for football. It's amazing how this thing has lingered so long. I feel so badly for all the kids missing out on these lifetime last events - but safety and health first. Too bad people are taking so long to get with the program - had we all collectively done so early on perhaps by now it would've been a thing of the past. Oh well, it is what it is and I am sad for so many. Gran Hotel - oh my gosh I loved it! I watched it completely marathon-style maybe last year or year before - best best best series. Tried to get all my gal family members to watch it but no one would - not sure why,. Maybe because there's no zombies in it. Hahaha, just kidding. Kinda. Anyway- I am so excited you are watching. They are so beautiful to watch, and that hotel and all the scenes and clothes - love love love! OK - now I am going to Thistlekeep read - but had to mentioned these two things before I got into the web and spent time going down the rabbit hole. Hugs. ♥
Hi, Michele, I am in upstate NY, grateful that my governor took action as soon as he did. We still lost way too many people, especially in NYC, but also our rural central and other upstate regions. Mask wearing, limiting the number of people allowed in any one place including Walmart, other stores, has helped and is still going on. I do feel for all the young people missing out on proms, graduations, football and don't forget all the young women in their sports...more worried about the huge blow to our economy- no jobs for so many. Love your positive attitude, stay safe and well. Sue
Great finds this week! Never heard of cottage core, but it was an interesting read! Thanks for sharing my macrame fringe! Have a great weekend!
Congrats, girlfriend!
You make me laugh! I'm sorry about your eyebrow! I am sorry to hear how school will start for your daughters. Our daughter teaches at a Catholic school (2nd grade) and they will be opening right after Labor Day. She only has 6 weeks to get through and then she is off on maternity leave until January. Such a difficult time for our kids but it does develop character.
Hi, Maureen, Oh, you had me at 2nd grade teacher, Catholic school or anywhere else, you must be Irish like me! I hope your daughter is safe, and you as well, and that she has an easy delivery and you all can enjoy your new baby. I am worried about how all this will impact the younger people- school, college, everything is going to have to adjust, maybe even get better from now on- but the huge blow to our economy, what jobs and careers will be available as we learn and grow now? I don't think we will will ever go back to how life was before COVID. Best wishes to you and your family, Sue
OMG that lake home - I think it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my entire life. I cannot even imagine living there. Oh my goodness, it is incredible.
That house! Oh my! Who lives there?! Oh! What joy I would have living, gardening, watching that lake and that doodle!! Joy for the owners I'm sure. It is nice to read on one of the comments about why it has taken so many to get on board with what we need to do to make this virus stop running our lives but it was nice as everyone around me here seems to ignore so we have nobody to talk with. Concerning at best. The kids sure will have lots to talk about with their grandchildren besides the 20 mile walk to school in the snow many gave them as they've grown..Lol!! Best to you all!
Hi, Lori, I am in upstate NY and so grateful every day that our governor took what many saw as extreme actions- shutting every thing down, mandating masks and closing schools. It certainly isn't easy or fun, and I feel so bad for the children, teens and college kids, missing so many important milestones, no parties, even family gatherings have turned out to be major virus spreading events. Unfortunately, I think this virus is going to linger, even get worse, but with science, medicine and technology- plus a huge heaping of caring about others and being willing to sacrifice in order to reach a better future for all, I think we can get there. It should not be about politics, it is about coming together as Americans, for the common good.
LOVED the beach and lake houses. Cottage core made me giggle. And the 17 habits? Made me a little tired. Hey, 2 outta 3 ain't bad (thank you Mr. Meatloaf). Have a FABULOUS week, my friend!
So many beautiful homes and ideas! Thanks for always having such a great weekly wrap-up! You are the best! The Netflix show sounds good.
I would love to buy your book AND one for a friend as you mentiond.. but it says seller limits me to 1. bummer!!
You need to get your brows done!!! My niece did mine and every time I look in the mirror I am pleased! My brows were sparse and long. She filled them in and it makes me feel so good to look and see how good my eyes look without any makeup. I cannot wear mascara due to allergies so I needed something to frame my eyes and boy, does this do the trick! You will not be sorry, but be sure to get a good artist when you do it.
Gotta check out Gran Hotel for sure! I also hope we have high school football, but only if it can be done safely and I’m not sure how they can play football safely. My husband and I got COVID-19 in March, and it’s no joke.....horrible. Keeping everyone well has got to be #1. Wishing you all good health!!
As always a fun and enjoyable time reading through this post. Thank you for the time you spend on these posts.
My husband and I will definitely check out Gran Hotel. Thank you for bringing us such lovely home tours. I enjoyed them while on my patio after the frenzied few days of Hurricane watch. Thankfully nothing came here, but hurricanes and pandemics combined is a whole lotta stress! Maybe next time you open your Mastermind group, I will be ready. Good luck with everything!
GAH!! The house tour, the DIY chandelier (Seriously?), glamping camper!! It's all so wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!!! Love you!!! xoxo p.s. Looks like the owner of the camper created a DIY light fixture of her own and I'm going to copy it!
I don't know about Christmas, but I am really ready to start decorating for fall! When kids go back to school, that is fall for me!
Breakfast charcuterie may be the best thing I’ve heard of in quite a while! Love the two home tours ... gorgeous. And, I appreciate a reminder to maintain those positive habits. I’m all in on making the bed first thing! xo
Just love your Thislekeeping posts. So fun to see what everyone is up to and creating. Happy Saturday friend and I hope you have a great weekend.
That house! WOW......and I hope the twins have a great senior year~ I know you are going to help them stay positive and cherish each memory. :)