It is hard to wrap my head around the fact that July is almost over. On one hand it feels like 2020 has been five years long and on the other, days can drag and the repetitiveness can make us forget what week it is. Overall this has not been the most productive year – not by a long shot. Sure I have cleaned out every nook and cranny of our apartment, but on a larger scale I don’t feel like I have personally and professionally accomplished much of anything in 2020. However I am realizing not only is that ok – it is a good thing.

As someone who likes to make lists and check boxes, I can often measure personal growth by what I have accomplished. This year has made me want to live in the now instead of making lists for tomorrow and realize I am growing everyday even if I am not accomplishing much of anything. Of course we all have work, deadlines and goals. It isn’t realistic to live in the clouds everyday, but the pressure we put on ourselves to be succeeding, even in the midst of a global pandemic doesn’t make a lot of sense. I have embraced a stillness that always made me feel anxious. I just finished reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle which I HIGHLY recommend to everyone if you haven’t already plowed through it. In it she says “Hard work is important. So are play and nonproductivity. My worth is tied not to my productivity, but to my existence. I am worthy of rest”

I just love that so much.

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A Simple Shift . Most of you know by now I am a total bedding addict. I will buy new sheets over a new pair of jeans any day. Whenever someone spots new bedding on the blog, it is almost always followed by “Did you not like the previous?” The answer is always no. Any bedding I am using and sharing on here means I love it because I can’t stand an uncomfortable bed. I recently decided to try a new duvet and pillow shams. I also finally updated our front bed pillows (the old were too soft). I went with this duvet (white with the white border) the matching shams and these pillows in firm. The duvet is not as soft as the Pottery Barn one I always rave about, but I love how it looks so crisp and classic on the bed and the shams hold their shape perfectly (which can be surprisingly hard to come across). The pillows are exactly what we were looking for – they look plump, but are so comfy when you lean against them. Overall I am incredibly happy with the whole set up.

An Organized Office. I have worked form home for almost a year and it has taken me until now to get fully dialed in. A few updates made my “office” area feel more organized and efficient. When we got our new console under the TV, I realized it was time to implement a new system. Since this one has a series of drawers opposed to cabinet doors I added a bunch of individual dividers for everything from scissors to printer ink and pens. I now know where everything is and it is more encouraging to keep it tidy. I also ordered a bunch of my favorite Appointed notebooks to have on hand and some simple desk solutions for papers I need to have close by.

Escape to the Country. With all of the heaviness going on in the world it is nice to check out occasionally. I stumbled across the show “Escape to the Country” which is essentially House Hunters in the English Countryside. How had I NEVER seen this?! It is so charming and makes me want to move there even more. {I found it on Amazon Prime}

Shop Updates. Even when I am not posting, I am almost always updating the Shop Pages. Specifically the main Shop where a lot of the new additions end up. Also My Kitchen and Entertaining. Here are some of my current favorites!