Hi friends! It’s been a long week — or at least it felt that way to me. I wrote this on Saturday, so by the time you read it it might be Sunday. Either way, today feels like the start of a fresh new week.
This photo of Jack was taken just seconds before he got sick on the floor. Thank goodness he missed my rug. Our dogs certainly keep us on our toes.
It’s been a while since I shared a Life Lately post. I enjoy writing these because they’re a nice way to catch up, answer questions, and share the little Instagram-style moments my girls and I have been posting.
You are my people, and I like keeping you in the loop. The online world has grown so much that I sometimes miss the close-knit feel of the early home blogging community. I love how things have expanded, but I still feel nostalgic for those simpler days.
Anyway, reminiscing aside, I’m so grateful you come here to read. There are so many places to find inspiration now, and it means a lot that you choose to spend a little time here. Thank you.
Mug Rack / Coffee Maker
This is Kylee’s little coffee cart at her place. Her sister Courtney just moved out of that townhouse into her own apartment — and she took her coffee maker with her, so Kylee will need a new one! If you missed Kylee’s living room post last Friday, check it out on her blog. Courtney will give a tour of her new place next week and share some of her decorating plans.
Oh, the joys of a first apartment and pink pots! It’s so fun watching them make a place their own. I can’t wait for you to see Courtney’s new space.
Speaking of sweet, Lily is a real gem and has taught me so many lessons. I shared a few moments on Instagram recently that illustrate her personality.
Sisal runner / Dutch door FAQ
Jack is his own kind of wonder. He spends a lot of time on high alert, always watching for anything interesting. He’s quite the character.
A little stack of books on Kylee’s coffee table makes such a cozy vignette. Have you seen my latest book, Simple Decorating? It’s compact and makes a lovely gift.
Our boy Luke turned seventeen — how did that happen? He was seven when I started blogging. Time flies; he’s now taller than his sisters.
For a little laugh, there’s an old post about Luke wearing underwear on his head and a “dead giraffe” in our hallway from back in 2007. The photos are tiny and dark, but it’s worth a quick chuckle.
We had a great Fourth of July — a backyard barbecue and fireworks nearby. It’s wonderful to be close enough to spend time together often.
My girls and I have fallen for a new natural makeup line. I’ve looked for clean, non-irritating makeup for years. Many natural or mineral formulas caused breakouts for me, but this line works well and feels good on the skin. If you’re interested, Kylee and Courtney can help with suggestions and ordering.
Getting a photo of even one dog looking at the camera can be a challenge — imagine getting all four to look at once! That rare group shot was a success. If you’d like to follow our pups, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook.
Patterned Rug / Mat
Leo is still the smallest of the bunch, though he might have another growth spurt yet. He’s adorable.
Come as you are mat / Door color: Hale Navy by BM
The Dutch door has become a favorite gathering spot for the dogs. Dutch doors and doodles seem to be a perfect match.
Lily is the most popular with the pups; everyone wants to be near her. She’s a bit of an introvert though and often seeks a quiet corner of the yard — we call it her secret garden.
My kitchen hardware and other sources
This year we planted a small vegetable container garden. I meant to take photos of our garden barrels and will try to share some soon. We’ve already been enjoying lettuce from it.
Since finishing the kitchen, we’ve been cooking at home much more. One of my favorite cookbooks has been a go-to for us lately.
My husband and I celebrated our anniversary recently. Instead of a fancy restaurant or an exotic trip, we spent the day on walks and driving through neighborhoods, dreaming about houses. It was simple and perfect—he knows me well.
The city is beautiful, and we walked a lot that day. Nearby is the houseboat featured in Sleepless in Seattle — we finished our evening by 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
I would really appreciate your help with something! I’ve submitted three rug designs to a competition where the top 10 rugs will be produced by Dash & Albert in 2018. Voting is simple — just like the Instagram photos for my designs. You can vote for all three if you like. Thank you so much for your support!