Well hello all! School has been in session around here for a couple weeks now and I am sad to see this summer go. I think it was our best yet. We traveled a ton -- to Iowa for my husband's work, North Carolina for the Duke basketball camp:
This was a fantastic camp, by the way. Our favorite so far.
Up to northern Indiana to visit Notre Dame for the first time:
I traveled to Atlanta for the fifth Haven Conference and we took another trip up to north to the Indiana Dunes (just beautiful):
I swear my child has other outfits. ;)
We visited the zoo, the children's museum, two amusement parks, our state fair, explored downtown Indy and hosted many friends over the course of the summer. I can't remember one that I've looked back on so fondly. This is the saddest I've ever been to see a summer go -- and you know how much I LOVE fall! :)
Because our summer has drawn to a close I figured it's a good time to share some of my favorite projects and posts from the past months. I joke that I'm usually a sloth for those three months and most years that is the case. This time I was focused on starting and finishing the loft makeover over the summer so I actually accomplished some stuff. Here's a look back, enjoy!
My two favorite flowers are hydrangeas and peonies. I think the peony wins out just because of the size, fluffiness and intoxicating floral scent. They are truly beautiful and I shared tips on how to grow them earlier this summer:
I finished the Konmari purge right before summer and I've slowly been organizing little spaces that need it. Our junk drawer got a makeover and it STILL looks this good, no lie:
It has stayed this organized because of some simple tricks I shared in that post.
Our outdoor pergola finally got stained so we added a new rug and then moved the table and chairs up to create an outdoor dining space. We've used it all summer:
I also refinished the potting bench my Dad and I made together (I had neglected it) and it is so so gorgeous now:
That table does double duty -- I use it for planting and also for entertaining. Love it.
We finally had our outdoor lights hung over the patio:
We are so stoked for fall evenings out here!
After years I have FINALLY conquered the paper clutter in our home and I shared how I've stopped tons of paper from coming into our house:
If you feel like you're drowning in mail and paper these are easy and helpful tips that will help tremendously.
I made over our back patio doors and LOVE the beautiful blue color:
The pop of color was just what the back of our house needed!
I shared my top ten Amazon finds earlier this summer, including some that you can't find in stores. Everything I used to add accent lighting to our kitchen cabinets was found there:
For the most part my focus was on the loft makeover this summer. I'll link to each post when I reveal this space in a couple weeks but these are my favorite updates so far. I was so thrilled when the large planked wall went up and then with those awesome sconces:
And the beautiful window seat that is totally dreamy (and has tons of storage!):
I still LOVE my DIY gift wrap station -- this was one of the easiest projects I've ever done:
And last but not least, I shared how to add the shiplap look to your walls (for less than the real thing) and how the walls and farmhouse door trim came out (I'm obsessed):
YES! I was productive! Whoot!
We are saying farewell to this wonderful summer and preparing for the fall -- the Bub and I purchased our first fall craft project yesterday. ;) Are you ready for fall or holding on to summer as long as you can?
Have a GREAT weekend!