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Discover simple home decor ideas, style tips, and seasonal inspiration through The Curated Life…your guide to living beautifully every day.
Welcome back to The Curated Life…a midweek pause filled with simple ideas, seasonal beauty, and little things that make everyday life feel more intentional. Whether you stop by every week or this is your first time, I’m truly glad you’re here.
This space is where I gather the things that don’t always make it into a full blog post, but still feel worth sharing. You’ll find home inspiration, recipes from my own kitchen, thoughtful tips for living well, and whatever else has been on my mind lately. So grab a comfy spot, and let’s take a look at what’s inside this week.
1.) A Simpler Way: What’s In My Blanket Chest?
When my dad passed away and we emptied his home, we weren’t sure what to do with his old blanket chest. I knew it needed to stay in the family, but no one seemed particularly interested. Just when I was wondering what in the world we were going to do with the chest, my daughter said she would take it. Moving day came, though, and she wasn’t able to pick it up right away. The only spot we had for it in our home was under the clock in our living room, so that’s where it landed. It was the perfect fit, and it looked like it was meant to be there.
For a while, I left the chest empty, thinking it was only there temporarily. But each time I walked past that corner, it felt more and more like the chest belonged there. A few months later, I asked my daughter if I could keep it, and she said yes without hesitation. That’s when I decided to put it to work. I measured the inside and turned it into the handiest gift-wrap station. There are bins for ribbon, a spot for gift bags, and even room for rolls of paper.
Now, every time I open that chest, I think of my dad and how this piece has found its place in our home. It’s a simple reminder that sometimes the best storage solutions, and the most meaningful ones, are already right in front of us.
2.) Words Worth Sharing
“Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from you.” ~Ralph Marston
I’ve been coming back to this quote every day lately, and it’s helped me keep my worries in perspective. Just reading it can shift my mindset, because it’s such a good reminder that we are responsible for our own happiness. It isn’t always easy to remember, but when life feels messy or overwhelming, this thought is like a gentle nudge to choose joy…even in small ways. If you’ve been feeling a little out of sorts too, maybe it will do the same for you.
in the pitcher. See them HERE.
3.) Magazine-Worthy Made Simple
Almost every week in The Curated Life, I share a home tour, renovation, or makeover and highlight a few ideas you can easily bring into your own space. This time, take a stroll through this beautiful Berkshire country house. It’s classic, warm, and filled with inspiration. After you’ve explored the tour, come back for a few simple, practical ways to get the look at home.
How to Get the Look
- Add a pop of pattern with fabric: notice the striped fabric on the dining room chairs. This is such a simple project, and the crisp stripes instantly add color and interest to the room.
- Swap cabinet hardware for warmth: the kitchen features ivory-painted cabinets with wood-finished knobs. This is a budget-friendly update that can completely change the look of your own cabinetry.
- Keep guest room bedding simple: in the guest room with twin beds, plain white cotton bedding is layered with colorful pillows and blankets. Starting with white sheets and pillowcases makes it easy to change the look seasonally with just a few accessories.
- Repurpose vintage linens: the bedroom with red and white bedding is dressed with an antique matelassé coverlet and pillows sewn from vintage tablecloths and grain sacks. Thrift shops and antique markets are full of linens that can be repurposed into pillows for a one-of-a-kind, charming touch that reflects your very own personal style.
4.) Gather + Savor
This week’s dinner plans are all about simple comfort. I’m making a big pot of beef barley soup, along with a batch of chicken salad. I’ll also bake a loaf of my favorite bread to serve with the soup, and then use the leftovers the next day for chicken salad sandwiches. It’s an easy way to stretch one meal into two while keeping things fresh and delicious.
5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING
- What’s ahead on Sunday: This weekend I’ll be sending out the digital screensaver calendars for October (hard to believe we’re already there), along with a quick recap of everything I shared this month. If your inbox has been a little busy lately, this email is the perfect way to catch up and get ready for the month ahead. If you’re new here, sign up for all my emails so you never miss a thing.
- What you might have missed: One of my favorite yearly projects is designing the free printable calendar I share with my email subscribers. Yes, it takes a little time for me to put together, but it’s truly time well spent, and I love every part of the process. I sent it out on Sunday, and your kind feedback has made me so glad I kept the tradition going. If you haven’t grabbed your copy yet, you can get the printable calendar here and start planning for the months ahead.
- Gift Wrap Station Sources: tape dispenser | gold scissors | clear bins | kraft gift bags | my favorite satin ribbon.
- Before I go, I just want to say how much I appreciate you being here. Writing these weekly editions of The Curated Life has become one of my favorite parts of what I do, and it wouldn’t mean nearly as much without you on the other side reading along. Thank you for letting me share my home, my kitchen, and my thoughts with you each week…it truly means the world to me.
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Hello! I always find reading your blog so calm and comforting. I loved the blueberry stems you shared and quickly bought some. I also love the mixture of berries you used to fill the pitcher on your dad’s chest. Would you be willing to share where each berry came from? I am a berry girl!!
The two types of berries came from my fall décor bin and, unfortunately, are no longer available. I did some searching and found a few reasonably priced berry stems with great reviews that look just as nice. You can now find them in the Accessories section of my Fall Décor Shop. Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/42RoEJn (affiliate link)
Ann,
Love these posts. So many great recipes always and I love how you provide us with a takeaway from pictures of homes. You make it so doable. That blanket chest is beautiful! What a wonderful keepsake❤️
Love your blanket chest and the sweet memories that go with it. What a creative way to put it to good use. So clever! The arrangement on top of it is outstanding! It is perfect for fall!!! Do you have the berries you used in the arrangement sourced on your Amazon page? I looked for them but don’t see them. ♥
Hi Frani…here is the link to the blueberry vine: https://rstyle.me/+RWo02Y0XYtkBfAaV86O3xg. The other berries were in one of my fall decor bins, and I believe they came from JoAnn a few years ago, so they are no longer available. I just added some fall stems to my Amazon shop. You can see them here: https://amzn.to/3KrLu4c Thank you!
The story of the blanket chest was especially touching. It’s beautiful, but the beauty lies mostly in the memories, right? My Dad handmade two cedar blanket chests sometime around 1940. They were very simple boxes large enough to hold many quilts, afghans and linens. One went to my aunt and one was my Mother’s. When my aunt passed away, my cousins gave that one to me and when my Mother’s house was emptied I received hers. They were both well worn – certainly not lovely enough for living room display – but I used them for excellent storage in our walk up attic. When we moved to the coast a few years ago I had to leave them behind. The couple who bought our house were thrilled to get them and that made me happy. Your story made me smile. Thank you.
The blanket chest is lovely. Great idea for gift wrapping items that don’t fit just anywhere! Our family’s chest is in storage, this has inspired me to clean it & let it have a special spot in our home! Thanks for sharing your lovely home and ideas and tips.
Love your blanket chest and the repurposing of it,keeping your dad with you always.Fits the space perfectly.
That’s wonderful you found a place for your dad’s blanket chest. Family heirlooms are so precious. I have my grandmother’s travel trunk that she used to come to America in 1905 at the age of nineteen. Every time I see it I think of that young girl and how brave she was travel on her own to a strange, new country to start a new life. I love everything about your new Curated Life series. Thank you.
Ann,
The blanket chest is lovely. The arrangement on top was so pretty. I have a blanket type chest in our family room and that gives me a great idea. Blessings!!!
Ann,
Thank you so much for all that you share of your home and yourself. Thank you especially for the quote you shared today. I read a positivity BLOG right before I read your email and it was all about happiness coming from within. The quote is a gentle reminder that it’s only ourselves that can boost our own peace and happiness. Again, thank you. Happy Fall!
~ Donna
The watercolors you are using are lovely. They are so colorful but still quiet, if that makes sense! I’m enjoying this new schedule you’re using.
Using your father’s chest as a gift wrap center is a wonderful idea and the fact that you think of him every time you use it is a bonus.
I enjoyed the tour of the home and although I’ll never be able to do it, one of my dreams has always been to live in the English Countryside. Such lush and beautiful gardens and a simpler way of life.
I just bought a rotisserie chicken so printed the bread recipe. We will be enjoying chicken salad sandwiches tomorrow.
I so enjoy your blog. Have a wonderful week.
I look forward to Wednesdays! Always uplifting!
Ann,
Noticed your “subtle” changes on your old/new blogs and it “feels” like you. CONGRATS.
Curious is you plan to do a printable on your happiness quote from todays blog?
It’s so true and I would like to have it in front of me and your printables are always so pretty.
My parents collected antiques in the ’60’s and ’70’s, and I was right with them at the auctions. At one and for $5, I bought a blanket chest that had dove tail details. It needed to be refinished, and my parents did that work for me. I’ve had it since then. My granddaughter was three when she scribbled on the top with an ink pen, and it also has lots of scratches and bumps from wear and tear. I often think of having my husband refinish it, but I’d miss the scribbles! Your idea to use it for gift wrapping is perfect, and that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for the suggestion! Now I have more under-bed storage space for other collections.
I am loving these post so much more than the previous Wednesday Wish List!
I am at an age where I know longer want to purchase or wish for everything that I see or is advertised. I love your house tours and suggestions following, the quotes to ponder, and the recipes. So many things to ponder and perhaps emulate after reading your blog. Thank you so much for taking a chance and changing your format! Love your blog!
Love the blanket chest! Thanks for sharing inspiring thoughts , I look forward to your refreshing bog .
I absolutely love what you did with your Dad’s blanket chest. It’s the perfect space to store wrapping/gift items. I’ll bet the new space you have where these items were previously stored, was a bonus too! Wonderful use for a sentimental piece.
The Curated Life is the best weekly series you’ve done, in my opinion. I look forward to it every week.
Thank you Ann for that quote, I will keep it close by. Your blog is a safe place for me to get away from my worries and believe that there is still goodness in the world.