The Curated Life No. 46

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

July arrived while I wasn’t looking. It began with a trip away from home, and somehow half the month is already behind me. The days are long, and most have been very hot, but July still feels like the heart of summer, settled right in the middle of the season. I plan to enjoy every day that remains, and I hope you do as well.

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1.) Thank You

Thank you for the kind notes you sent in reply to last week’s email, and for the thoughtful comments on Where I Am, One Year Later. Hearing about your own experiences, and knowing that parts of my story felt familiar, meant more than I can say. Your encouragement after our trip was so generous, and the response to Sunday’s post was just as heartfelt. I read every message and comment, and each one made me feel understood and supported. It was a lovely reminder that honesty has a way of bringing people together. I am truly grateful that you took the time to write a comment, or send an email.

2.) Words Worth Sharing

“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It’s your masterpiece, after all.”
~Nathan W. Morris

3.) Easy Everyday Favorites

• This passport holder keeps two passports safe and secure. I ordered it before my trip, and it was perfect for keeping everything organized in my carry-on.
• These compression sneaker socks are comfortable and provide just the right amount of support. I have been buying them one pack at a time, and I finally have enough to wear a fresh pair every day. They also gave me a good reason to clean out my sock drawer.
• This portable cell phone charger was so useful. It is small and lightweight, fits easily into a purse or tote bag, and was very handy while I was away from home.
• Finding travel clothes that resist wrinkles and take up very little room can be a challenge, but these pants checked every box. They are lightweight, comfortable, and came out of my suitcase without wrinkles. I suggest going up one size for a roomier fit. They look great with both tees and tunics.
• This set of packing cubes can be used with or without compression. They helped me stay organized while I packed and made it much easier to keep everything in order throughout the trip.
• See the whole collection HERE.

4.) Gather & Savor

If you don’t have zucchini growing in the garden, now is a good time to pick up a few at a local farm stand. I just spent part of the morning shredding and freezing zucchini, and it is one of the easiest ways to save some for later. My step-by-step guide for how to freeze zucchini explains exactly what to do, and once it is in the freezer, it will be ready for zucchini bread, zucchini muffins, or chocolate zucchini cake when you are ready to bake.

5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

• What’s Ahead: this month is going to be low-key. I have two new zucchini recipes to share this weekend, so I hope you open my email on Sunday and take a look.
• If you aren’t a current OSP email subscriber, we would love to have you join us. Click HERE to sign up.
• Truth be told, I am still trying to get back into some sort of routine after our trip to Alaska. It’s turned out to be more difficult than I thought. But I’m trying, and I’m almost there. Thank you for your patience, and your friendship.