Idyllic Moments : June 2020
Happy Tuesday! I have a little surprise for you… I wanted to create another reoccurring monthly series that was a bit more personal, similar to my Noteworthy posts, but focused on interiors and all things home. I thought it would be fun to share small vignettes around our house each month that make me smile. Idyllic means happy, peaceful, or picturesque, and there are so many moments in our home that bring me those feelings. My plan for this series is to be quick, casual, and lighthearted, sharing the everyday, ordinary, and simple moments throughout my home that bring me joy (and hopefully you’ll like them too). This series will also give me an opportunity to spend some time with my camera being creative, which feels a lot like getting back to my roots. Anyway… I’m very excited for it! These will change each month, seasonally, and highlight different areas that feel fresh and inspiring. One last note- there may or may not be news of a giveaway in this first post, so definitely click through to read about that, too!Â
The first few snapshots into our life lately begin in the kitchen. We’ve been cooking up a storm this year and my new favorite cookbook is Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone. It’s categorized by season, and all of the food I’ve prepared so far has been spectacular AND beautiful. I’d highly recommend, if you’re looking for some fresh recipes and enjoy spending time in the kitchen.
My friend Marina (the brains behind The Clay Maven account), sent me this beautiful bowl for the kitchen. She’s an incredible ceramist who throws pottery locally here in Salt Lake City. I mentioned I wanted something organic, yet modern and she totally came through. I have a couple other pieces she made- including the tray that my pot scrubber rests in beside our kitchen sink. I also got a new soap set that smells incredible and is the perfect light fragrance for summertime! I know, I know… I’m a self proclaimed soap snob, but this is another tiny thing that makes me happy…. plus, we’re all doing a lot of hand washing these days.
I love all of the different shapes that are happening in this countertop vignette… from the cookbook stand to the tiny vintage ginger jar, Marina’s bowl, and even the wooden doorstop I’ve been using as a page turner (to keep my cookbook from falling closed). It’s a nice little moment in our kitchen I’ve been liking lately. Something about traditional elements mixed with modern really does it for me.
Moving upstairs, we’ve been using our balcony a lot lately. The weather has been incredibly nice and I often work from my laptop out here. After work, Emmett and I like to sit outside and watch the sunset over the mountain range. It’s quickly turning into my favorite evening ritual, and is also helping me step away from work at a decent hour (instead of 10pm, which used to be my norm). If you read this post about working from home, you probably already know this has been a real struggle for me. I have trouble “clocking” in and out.
If you’ve been reading for awhile, you already know of my love for throws… year round. In Utah, it gets chilly in the evening, so I keep blankets and throws nearby (even in our outdoor spaces). There’s something comforting about them, and I just enjoy being cozy and covered. I’ve been working on some reader appreciation giveaways for you guys, and the first one is going live on Instagram today! I partnered with Serena & Lily to giveaway a couple of their beautiful Milo alpaca throws. It’s the softest throw I own, is perfect for all seasons, and it comes in multiple colors. Check my IG feed in a bit to enter. It’s really easy… you just have to tag a friend and follow along (so that you can both win a throw, if you’re selected). I’ll share details in a couple hours!
Another summer ritual we’ve started (in addition to homemade pizza night once a week), is enjoying a nice glass of wine or making craft cocktails on a weekday… like black bean flautas and margaritas for “Taco Tuesday.” It gives us something to look forward to on a weekday, feels like we’re celebrating summer vacation (minus the vacation & travel), and the weekend seems to get here a bit faster. Â Lately, it has mostly been wine because we’ve been super busy.
What moments in your home have been making you smile this summertime… now that we’re officially into the summer season? I think this new series will be fun and another casual, creative way to really connect. Although we’re still “stuck” at home and our travel plans have been cancelled, home honestly feels like a pretty good place to be right now. Let me know what you think, and don’t forget to enter to win the beautiful throw on Instagram later today, if you’re interested!