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
One of the easiest ways I simplify meals during the week is by prepping my lettuce ahead of time. I almost always use romaine…it’s sturdy, stays crisp, and works in everything from quick side salads to ones that work as a main dish. At the start of the week, I wash, chop, and store it in an airtight container or a resealable bag lined with a paper towel.
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I’ll be honest, I’m not a great salad maker, but this tip always works. Even if you don’t love making salads, having the lettuce prepped ahead of time makes all the difference. (For me, it’s a game-changer at lunch.) Salads come together in minutes, and I’m much more likely to reach for greens when I’m short on time. It’s a small step, but one that makes healthy eating feel effortless all week long. If you want to prep the whole salad, this is my favorite method.
2.) Words Worth Sharing
“IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. To change your mind. To start again. To begin a new career. To focus on your health. To dream bigger dreams. To say sorry. To find love. To educate yourself. To slow down. To notice the beauty around you. To say I love you. To forgive. To love yourself a little more. To walk away. To make a wish. It’s never too late.”
~Live A Happy Life
3.) The Follow-Up File
I wanted to take a moment to answer the questions I received about the watercolor image at the top of the post. When I began this series, I knew I wanted special branding that could change with the seasons. What I didn’t realize was how difficult it would be to find someone to help me bring that vision to life. I am pretty good at graphics, but I am not an artist. When I experimented with creating a logo through AI, nothing I came up with felt good enough.
After working with three different artists, I finally found someone who understood exactly what I had in mind. (After the third artist, I almost gave up.) I sent her photos of myself, my outfit, Millie, and even my blanket ladder, and she blended them all into the image you see above. From the very first draft, I loved it, so I’m thrilled that you love it too. I plan to continue working with her to create more watercolor graphics for this series, so stay tuned for what’s ahead.
4.) Gather + Savor
Even though it isn’t quite casserole season yet, I found myself completely out of dinner ideas and craving something different…something I hadn’t made in a while. So I turned to an old classic: chicken and rice casserole. It was just what we needed. Comforting, flavorful, and hearty enough to stretch into leftovers for another meal. Sometimes it’s those tried-and-true recipes, the ones we’ve been making for years, that end up feeling like the biggest win at the dinner table. And I’ll admit, I’m just waiting for the first chilly day so I can make a big pot of chicken and rice soup!
5.) THINGS WORTH MENTIONING
- What’s ahead on Sunday: If I can get my act together, this week on A Sunday Well Spent, I’ll be featuring our small foyer, simply decorated for fall. I am also working on a recipe for Maple Pecan Bread, and I hope to be sharing that as well.
- What you might have missed: I just shared 10 fall centerpiece ideas that are a simple and beautiful way to welcome the season, along with inspiration for creating small vignettes that bring an autumn touch to any space. And since apple season is right around the corner, take a look at my easy recipe for Crock-Pot Applesauce. It’s delicious, comforting, and couldn’t be simpler to make.
- What I’m Loving Right Now:
- This smells-like-fall gingerbread kitchen set.
- This light-weight muslin throw blanket.
- This really pretty cardigan sweater in 5 autumn colors. (Runs true to size. I got the rusty bronze and love it.)
- This cute plaid scatter rug topped with this perfect doormat.
- This darling ceramic pumpkin bowl.
- There’s something about sunflowers that makes everything feel a little happier. I picked some up recently, and every time I walk past them, I smile. If you see them at your market, I highly recommend grabbing a bouquet!
- It’s been a slower week, so I don’t have as much to share. As we move into autumn, there will be weeks when I’m brimming with inspiration, and others when things feel a little calmer. Either way, with each edition of The Curated Life, you’ll always find my very best ideas, gathered up just for you. XO
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I love your watercolor logo. It looks wonderful!!!!!
I love your watercolor logo! Suits you perfectly!
Do you have a link to the blue berry stems in your sunflower arrangement? I have been looking forever for some that look that nice.
Thank you for all your inspiration.
Hi Susan! Yes here is the link: https://rstyle.me/+RWo02Y0XYtkBfAaV86O3xg I talked about the blueberries in last week’s The Curated Life so check that out for more information.
Ann, I love the new watercolor, too! Keep up the good work!
I absolutely love this new format!
I had been admiring your watercolor headers and thought maybe you’d created them yourself with AI. You should have your artist do lots of individual pieces of clipart, so you can put them together yourself according to need. She really nailed you. I love it.
I love the new picture I follow Susan Branch it reminds of me of her style. Looking forward to your fall decorating – I have to admit a few little ghost and a light up pumpkin from Target.
I’m so glad that you didn’t give up finding a graphic artist! Your pictures are perfect!
Happy days, Michele Busboom
Love your new logo! I also am obsessed with the blueberries, I’ve ordered them for fall!
Good Morning Ann:
I, like so many other readers, have been loving the new graphics. They are so YOU!!! This latest one just screams Ann.
I have been enjoying On Sutton Place for several years now and have only commented a couple of times but felt like I just wanted to reach out to you and let you know how enjoyable your new format is. I hope it has brought you more peace and pleasure to do it this way. It’s been wonderful. Thank you.
Have a blessed day!
I’m so glad I have you to kick-start me into Fall decorating. The seasons just seems to go so fast for me any more and I do want to downsize on my seasonal decorating. In the past I tended to over do it and it became a chore instead of a pleasure. This ‘curated life’ just fit the bill. Thank you, thank you, thank you…..P.S. going to make the small batch chicken and rice casserole very soon.
You answered my question about who painted/watercolored your graphics without me ever asking. Someone else was as curious as I was!
I look forward to Wednesdays and seeing what you like. Thanks so much.
Thank you so much for this new addition to your blog. I am really enjoying a curated life, so much more than wish Wednesday. I feel like I can take a breather and enjoy inspiration without the need to overspend or over want! I have tried a few of your recipes and they were delicious I am looking forward to trying a few more. Love the artwork Ann!
Haven’t commented in a while but I still Love your blog .
Loving your Curated Life!
Absolutely love the water color art. It just fits your style perfectly. Also, I remember you posted an article about when you retired, your expectations and how you felt when you retired. I was wondering if at some time you could repost that once again?
Thanks for the tip about prepping the romaine, Ann! My goal is to eat 1 salad a day. And the graphic artist you found is the BEST!
Thank you for the watercolor art!