Hi friends! It’s been a long week — or at least it felt like one to me. I’m writing this on Saturday, but by the time you read it it may well be Sunday. Last week dragged on, but today feels like the start of a fresh new week.
This picture of Jack was taken just seconds before he got sick on the floor. Luckily he missed my rug — our dogs definitely keep us on our toes.
It’s been a while since I shared a “Life Lately” update. I enjoy these posts because they let me catch you up on what’s happening, answer a few questions, and share Instagram-style snapshots the girls and I have posted. You all are my main community, and I like keeping you in the loop.
The online world has exploded over the years, and sometimes I miss the smaller home-blogging community we used to have. I love how much the community has grown, but I still feel nostalgic for those simpler days. Regardless, I’m always grateful you stop by here for inspiration — thank you for being here.
Mug Rack / Coffee Maker
This is Kylee’s little coffee cart in her place. Her sister Courtney recently moved out of the townhouse into her own place and took the coffee maker with her, so Kylee might be shopping for a new one soon. If you missed Kylee’s living room post from Friday, it’s worth a look for ideas and inspiration.
Speaking of Courtney, she’s planning to give a tour of her new place next week and share some of the ideas she has for decorating it. I’m excited for you to see it.
There’s something magical about a young person setting up their first apartment — pink pots and all. It’s fun watching them make a space their own.
And then there’s Lily. She’s a real gem and has taught me so much. I shared a bit about her on Instagram recently — she’s a quiet soul with lots of heart.
Sisal runner / Dutch door FAQ
Jack is his own special kind of character. He spends much of his day on high alert, watching for whatever he thinks is amusing. He keeps us entertained.
There’s a cute stack of books on Kylee’s coffee table in this shot. If you haven’t picked up my latest book, Simple Decorating, it’s a compact, practical guide and makes a nice gift.
Our son Luke turned seventeen — my little boy is growing up. He was seven when I started blogging, and now he’s taller than his older sisters. If you’ve been around the blog a long time, you might remember some silly moments from years ago; there’s an old post with some throwback photos that still makes me laugh.
We had a nice Fourth of July — a backyard barbecue followed by fireworks nearby. It’s a joy to live close enough to spend that time together often.
Lately my girls and I have been loving a new natural makeup line we discovered. I’ve been searching for clean, effective makeup for a long time — many natural options caused irritation. This line has worked well for us. If you’re looking for clean makeup options, my daughters Kylee and Courtney can share recommendations and help find the best choices.
Getting a photo where all four dogs look at the camera is a real challenge, but sometimes we’re lucky and it happens. If you enjoy dog photos, you can follow our pups on Instagram or Facebook for more everyday moments.
Patterned Rug / Mat
Leo is still the smallest of the group, and we’re curious whether he’ll have another growth spurt. He’s adorable and full of personality.
Come as you are mat / Door color: Hale Navy by BM
The Dutch door has become a favorite gathering spot for the dogs. There’s something about that spot they all love — doodles and dutch doors seem to be a perfect match.
Lily is the most popular with the other pups — everyone wants to be near her. Despite that, she’s a bit of an introvert and will often find a quiet corner of the yard to be alone. We call it her secret garden.
My kitchen hardware and other sources
This year we planted a vegetable container garden. I hope to share photos of our garden barrels soon — we’ve already been enjoying fresh lettuce from them. With the kitchen remodel complete, we’ve been cooking and eating at home much more; having good recipes on hand has been a real help.
My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary. Instead of fancy trips, we often spend the day walking, exploring neighborhoods, and imagining dream houses together. That kind of time feels meaningful to both of us.
The city is beautiful and we explored quite a bit on foot that day. Near where we wandered is the location tied to the houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle — we ended the evening watching the movie, one of my favorites.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend, friends!
You can follow along with our Instagrams below:
The Inspired Room // Kylee // Courtney // Dwell Well Collective // Jack the Goldendoodle // Doodles at Home
If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate your help: I submitted three rug designs to a competition where the top 10 will be produced next year. Voting is simple — just like the photos on Instagram to support the designs. It takes only a second and your support would mean a lot.