The Curated Life No. 44

Discover simple home decor ideas, style tips, and seasonal inspiration through The Curated Life…your guide to living beautifully every day.

June has a way of arriving quietly, and somehow, all at once. It’s not quite the start of the season, and we haven’t yet reached the middle. It’s that lovely in-between month when the days stretch a little longer, the pace begins to soften, and there’s finally time to enjoy the simple things that make summer feel special. A walk in the evening, flowers on the table, a porch chair at the end of the day, or a few minutes spent doing nothing at all. June may not ask much of us, and that might be exactly what makes it so nice.

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1.) Simple Americana Living

The patriotic porch post has been freshened up with new images, updated links, and simple ideas for adding a red, white, and blue welcome outside. From flags and pillow covers to planters and door decor, everything is easy to add, easy to remove, and doesn’t require a complete porch makeover. It’s a relaxed way to make your outdoor space feel ready for the 4th of July, summer gatherings, or any day you want to show a little American spirit.

I also updated the last minute patriotic decor post, and this one focuses on easy interior ideas. It’s filled with quick touches anyone can do, such as tucking flags into pitchers, adding a patriotic pillow, or creating a simple centerpiece with pieces you already have. These are the kinds of ideas that don’t take much time, but still make your home feel festive and pulled together for the holiday.

2.) Words Worth Sharing

“As we get older we realize that we don’t need all the things that fill our space, but rather the things that fill our heart.” ~Found HERE.

3.) the follow-up file

I’m here to share something a little different this week. Many of you have asked about the watercolor-style images I’ve been using in my emails and seasonal projects, so I created a short page that explains how they are made. It’s an honest look at the process, the tool I use, and why each image takes time and practice. You can read it here: How I Create My Watercolor Images.

4.) Gather & Savor

Pasta salad is one of those summer recipes that always comes in handy. This week I’m featuring three favorites: a brand new BLT Pasta Salad made with farfalle, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing; a Cold Spaghetti Salad that was created last summer and is full of color and flavor; and my mom’s Creamy Pasta Salad, which has been on the blog for years and is still a reader favorite. Each one is easy to make ahead, travels well, and is just right for cookouts, family dinners, or any warm-weather meal.

5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

• What You Might Have Missed: last weekend, OSP email subscribers received two simple recipes for summer. On Saturday, I sent the updated M&M Cookie Bars, and on Sunday, the brand new BLT Pasta Salad went out with my weekly note. One is sweet, one is savory, and both are easy ideas to keep close for warm-weather meals and gatherings.
• What’s Ahead: as we pass the halfway mark of June, summer is in full swing. Coming up soon are ideas for a fast entryway update, simple living ideas that are perfect for the season, and two delicious recipes that will put that fresh rosemary to work.