You may have noticed that I’ve been even quieter than usual on social media and the blog, taking a month-long break from posting after the long-overdue outrage over the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. Posting shopping roundups and photos of my home felt too trivial, and while it still feels tone deaf to talk about anything other than the tipping point we’re facing, I do want to get back into some semblance of normalcy — but without falling victim to complacency.

When feeds went dark in honor of Blackout Tuesday, allowing Black voices to rise to the top, it was painstakingly obvious that I needed to diversify my feed. Viewpoints from people who didn’t look like me was refreshing and led to some introspection about why, exactly, my feed had been predominately whitewashed. It was never intentional, which is exactly why white people, myself included, need to do better. It’s easy to take the privilege of white skin for granted, but the systemic racism in this country will be impossible to overcome if we don’t earnestly begin to chip away at the barriers that BIPOC individuals face. Personally, I’d like to work at diversifying the content that I share in roundups like these so that we’re celebrating a wider range of voices, retailers, and content creators. Please let me know if there’s anyone I should have on my radar!

The dark side of Instagram’s favorite door.

Quarantine fatigue is real and shaming people won’t help.

I ordered this drink table with the walnut base. It’s backordered till October, which will be such a fun surprise when it arrives.

I recently came across Laurel Dailey’s photography. Her still-life work is moody and captivating. This is one of my favorite prints.

Simply putting more women in leadership roles at organizations doesn’t always mean that other women will be supported at those companies.

This bed! Swoon! (I’m seriously considering it. We bought a cheap bed frame a few years ago when we bought our king-size mattress. The headboard isn’t holding up well and replacing it has been on our eventual to-do list.)

How camping became this year’s hottest getaway. (While I’m not one for camping, we did book a long weekend in Door County, Wisconsin for later this summer. It sounds like they’re taking mask-wearing and social distancing seriously and our days will be spent hiking, swimming, and ordering takeout from local restaurants. The hotel we’re staying at has a mandatory 48-hour wait in between guests, which made me feel a lot better about booking this mini getaway.)

Love candles and supporting Black-owned businesses? Check out 228 Grant Street Candle Co. The ginger and kaffir lime candle sounds dreamy.

Fruit and berry crisps are my favorite summer dessert. I’ve used this recipe twice over the past few weeks and it’s perfection. I made it once with just rhubarb, which is tart and you may prefer a touch more sugar if you have a sweet tooth, and again with half rhubarb and half strawberries.

The best plant advice from Marcus Bridgewater, the man who became TikTok star Garden Marcus.

Finds under $50:

• Such a cute top!
• How great is this marble serving board? I love the green-and-white stripes.
• I’ll be purchasing this tee in advance of our Lake Michigan adventure.
• I just love this little planter. Plus, it ships free!
• A floral dress with a neutral color palette.
• This looks like the perfect summer blouse when you need to keep the sun off your skin. (And you wouldn’t need to wear it as an off-the-shoulder number.)

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Short on mixers? No problem! Here are 21 cocktails you can make with LaCroix.

The science behind why everyone is baking bread now. (I wanted to make this focaccia recipe one of the first weeks of the stay-at-home order, but of course, there was no yeast to be found. So, I’ve decided to support a local bakery instead and order loaves when we’re getting low.)

Apparently the pandemic is giving people vivid, unusual dreams.

With it’s relaxed silhouette, this looks like the perfect summer dress. (It also looks like it’d be perfect for any warm-weather travel, assuming that happens again this year!)

How some U.S. neighborhoods got their peculiar names.

Studies confirm that adding nature to your workspace can boost your productivity and reduce stress. Apparently that can happen just by way of imagery (thus the opening image to this post), but I’d prefer to add plants. I’ve ordered this and this from Bloomscape. Both are pet friendly and you can save $10 on your first order by signing up for their emails or you can get $15 off your first purchase of $50+ with this link. (That link will also give me the same discount toward another purchase.)

A few tips to make weekends actually feel like weekends.

Being at home constantly has made me acutely aware of the things I’d like to improve and purchase for our space. While that unfortunately started with recaulking the tub after a leak, I’ve since switched direction to prettier pursuits like this duvet cover. You may remember that I purchased the pillow shams last year. I’m still as in love with the design as I was initially and I’m really excited to outfit the bed in the print. Next up for our bedroom: window treatments!

How COVID-19 may change the travel industry.

I’m on the lookout for new throw pillows for our couch to replace the green plaid ones that are more appropriate for fall and winter. I really like this one.

Finds under $50:

• I added this dress to my sidebar last week and ordered it shortly after. It hasn’t arrived yet, but it looks like a great weekend and work-from-home dress for warmer months. It’s 50% off through the weekend.
• Love this rattan headband.
• This sweater will look just as good with your leggings as it will with jeans when you venture out of the house.
• J.Crew has a BOGO sale on tops right now. Start with this classic top.
• I mentioned this top in last week’s post. Now that it has arrived, I’d like to recommend it again because it’s really adorable half-tucked into jeans — and it’s on even deeper discount! As the reviewer online states, it is on the shorter side (hitting at the top of the hips on me at 5′ 6″) and it’s probably a better fit with a smaller chest. I bought it in black and might go for the cream, too.

In case you missed it:

• Liven up those Zoom meetings with a new pair of statement earrings. (There’s a mother-of-pearl pair that’s particularly gorgeous.)
• Taking a moment to enjoy simpler pleasures.

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:: sigh :: Remember the days when we could travel? It’s hard to believe that we were in Portugal 11 months ago and, boy, do I miss that version of me: the bubbly girl who was exploring a new-to-her country, indulging in midday porto tonics, and wouldn’t pass up a quick snapshot at a fully tiled wall. Travel seems like a distant memory now that Wisconsin extended its stay-at-home orders through May 26, and to be honest, I sobbed when I heard the news. We’ve been social distancing for a month now (36 days to be exact) and I’m not sure how to make another six weeks bearable. I miss normalcy. I miss going to the office, seeing friends, having the freedom to go about my day in the way that I please. I know some people are thriving at home. I’m not one of them. I’m trying to push myself to work on long-awaited household projects and get that patio garden started, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to do much more than watch TV and stare at my phone once my workday wraps up. How are you getting through this and staying motivated? I need all of the tips and pep talks I can get!

Alright, on to the links!

I loved this slideshow of Photoshopped creations a dad made of his son’s animal drawings.

How fun is this colorful jumpsuit?!

One of our couch cushions started pilling recently (and, surprisingly, it’s the middle cushion that we don’t really sit on). I tried this fabric shaver and now the upholstery looks good as new!

After the pandemic, the office dress code should never come back.

We watched Home Before Dark on Apple TV last week and loved it.

If you’re in need of a new drink while cocktailing at home, may I suggest the Hemingway daiquiri? We happened to have grapefruit juice the other night and realized our bar was stocked well enough with the other ingredients on hand and gave it a whirl. It’s delicious — and potent. I served them in these coupes, which are great quality despite the low price point. (Manhattans look great in them, too!)

A guide to getting through COVID-19 alone.

Ten ingredients to upgrade your cooking.

One of the best things about isolation is seeing how others are embracing domestic hobbies like baking and gardening, even when it comes to simple pursuits such as regrowing vegetables from scraps.

If you’ve ever been curious about the history of household items, this book is for you!

Finds Under $50:

• Considering this cute shirt.
• I’m still a sucker for a resin earring.
• Up your snack game with olive wood bowls.
• Dave suggested that I get an AirPods case so he stops confusing his pair for mine while we work at home. I love this light pink floral one.
• I placed an order for this top to wear with jeans now and with linen shorts later.
• This lamp is a great fit for mid-century modern design as well as tropical aesthetics.
• A colorful cover-up.

In case you missed it:

• I bought a pair of earrings. (Find ’em here.)
• The closest thing to a tropical escape I’ll have this year.
• We had our stairwell painted. More photos coming soon, along with before and after photos and product links for our entry pieces.
• Last month’s purchases.

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Wisconsin isn’t under a shelter-in-place order as of today, but I suspect it’s coming soon — and you have no idea how much I hope it happens, especially as someone with asthma. I’ve been so worried about getting sick that my heart just sank when I started having body aches last Wednesday, followed by shortness of breath, and coughing. It all came to a head on Saturday when I was so weak that I could barely leave the bed late that afternoon. I don’t think it was COVID-19 because I didn’t have a fever and my symptoms were accompanied by sneezing. But who really knows without actually being tested? In any case, I’ve been home for a week already with no end in sight. It feels surreal to spend day in and day out here, and I feel like I’m already losing grip on what day and time it is at any given moment. Hell, I had to consult my pill organizer to know that the other day was, in fact, Friday! How are you holding up?

Krystal’s post is full of great tips on how to prioritize your mental health while you’re social distancing.

Home organization could be a very helpful coping mechanism for the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

Did you know Rifle Paper Co. has pillows?! This citrus one is my absolute favorite. It looks like it’s destined to be paired with the vintage chair I purchased last year.

In defense of “inside clothes.”

We downloaded Animal Crossing for the Switch this weekend. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been planted in front of the TV playing a game for hours on end.

I’ve shared my penchant for Joseph Lee’s art before and his interpretation of Girl with a Pearl Earring is so good! I hope he creates prints of it. Fingers crossed!

Sephora has free shipping on all orders right now, so it’s an excellent time to try out less expensive products without the pressure of hitting a $50 minimum. I love this peel and this serum.

Linen has seen a resurgence in the marketplace and I am fully on board. Not only does linen get softer with every wash, it’s breathable, naturally antibacterial, and a greener alternative to cotton because it requires less harmful pesticides and fertilizers. We have this set of sheets and I’m considering this duvet cover as well.

Consider keeping your happy hour plans — at a distance. (Our friends have been getting together for neighborhood walks and patio drinks with a respectful distance between everyone. It’s been a nice standing date to know that at least a handful of the group will be free during this tumultuous time. We also have a vibrant group chat to keep those who couldn’t partake in the loop.)

I wanted to purchase these sandals last year and now that I’m saving a boatload of money by not eating out, I think I’m going to take the plunge. What color would you choose? White or brown?

Finds under $50:

• I’m loving this midcentury-inspired magazine rack.
• There are lot of items marked down 25 percent at Nordstrom right now, making it a great time to pick up these sunglasses.
• A cozy sweater dress for working from home when you want to feel somewhat presentable.
• If you’re looking for a pair of simple gold stud earrings, how about these? I have a few Jenny Bird pieces and can vouch for the quality.
• This gingham top is so sweet! Use code LOVEU for 40% off, plus there’s free shipping and free returns!

In case you missed it:

• Seven dinner recipes we have on rotation that don’t make us miss dining out.
• A few favorite pieces for spring.
• Filling my camera roll with photos of Oliver is the only thing getting me through self-isolation.

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