The Curated Life 47

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 more than 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.) True To You

There is no single right way to create a home that feels like you. Choose the colors, collections, and simple comforts that make you happy, and let your home reflect the life you are living now. Trust your own taste, follow your heart, and give yourself permission to make choices that feel right for you. It will never be perfect, and that is completely fine, because a home should reflect real life, with all its ordinary days, changes, and imperfections. A home should support you and your family, and bring you a sense of contentment every time you walk through the door.

2.) Words Worth Sharing

“You don’t have to live like everyone else. In fact, you’ll probably be happier if you don’t.”
~Joshua Becker

3.) Summer Garden Notes

Even though I don’t have a traditional garden, the front landscaping still gives me plenty to enjoy. My Limelight hydrangeas are almost fully open, I was able to gather a small bundle of lavender, and the allium has turned into perfect purple globes. Three little Endless Summer hydrangeas have healthy, beautiful leaves but only a few flowers, so patience is required. Still, I’m very happy with what is growing right now. A few days ago, I went outside with my clippers and came back in with enough stems for three small bouquets. That simple bit of time among the plants made me very happy.

4.) Gather & Savor

Since lemons are such a lovely fit for summer, I wanted to make sure you saw this collection of lemon recipes. It includes simple recipes with that fresh, bright flavor that works so well this time of year, whether you are baking something sweet, making something savory or quenching your thirst.

5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING

• What’s You Might Have Missed: last weekend, I featured one newly updated post and two brand-new recipes. I shared simple tips for decorating with collections without the clutter , along with a zucchini muffin recipe and a classic zucchini casserole.
• What’s Ahead: late July and August can be tricky months when you write about seasonal living. Most summer ideas have already been shared, but it still feels too soon to move on. This is when I spend more time in the kitchen, because creating recipes is one of my favorite parts of this job. So in the weeks ahead, I’ll be sharing more simple seasonal recipes that anyone can make.