July 1

Wow. June was a crazy month for me. I'm pretty sure if I counted the days, I was away from home for at least half of it, and that's a crazy crazy amount for this homebody! I'm glad all the travel is behind me now!

I took this photo on Sunday when I arrived home from the final June excursion:

I think I should spend all of July sitting right here. Now that I survived my lunatic June, it feels as if my summer can really start. Summer is supposed to feel relaxing, after all. 


And now that it's summer, a colorful garland in the hallway seems just right. I made the giant painted cardboard garland for the Creative Bug set. Man, how I love pretty things made from everyday items like a shipping box. 


Here they are before I hot glued them all together. (I didn't bring the giant cardboard rose, I'll have to find a use for it here at home.) and while I'm talking about home decor...

Have I introduced you to our new lamp? I looove it, (even though it was very expensive). I bought it from www.schoolhouseelectric.com . I remember seeing it on someone's Instagram feed a year or two ago and sending a screenshot to a friend telling her I thought she needed it. And after trolling Target and HomeGoods looking for a special lamp for this spot for ages, I decided to splurge and I'm glad I did. I don't know if you can tell from this photo, but it's milk glass. I didn't really realize how much I'd appreciate the craftsmanship of the construction and details like the cloth cord and vintage type plug. It fits so perfectly and I'm trying to keep the table around it spotless despite my penchant for filling up every flat surface with a pile of some sort. 


I think this blooming succulent looks like spring turned to summer, with it's hues ranging from the palest apple green to salmon and pops of sunshine yellow. It's the first time that it's bloomed although it's been potted out front for at least a year or two. I don't know what the plant is called, but I'm referring to it as the bells of summer in my head each time I walk by it. Ring ring ring, summer is here!