May 30, 2026 – Bri had the cutest tiaras left over from a party, so we couldn’t help wearing them while recording our podcast episodes!
May 31, 2026 – Okay, I know I said I didn’t spend any money on books in May, but then my mom reminded me that I went on what amounted to a book shopping spree the last day of May. Oops! I only spent $15 on this stack of books, though, because I had a gift card and a B&N reward. And the purchase didn’t clear my bank until June 1st, soooo.
June 1, 2026 – I AM IN LOVE WITH MY NEW BENCH! AHHH! I had no idea what to do with this weird alcove area in my bedroom until I realized that a small bench would be perfect. It acts as storage (the top opens, and I’m using it to store extra sheets), and the girls love napping on it throughout the day. I’m very worried that they will soon see this bench as a terrific scratching post, so please say a prayer that they leave it alone.
June 2, 2026 – I went for a walk after a particularly rough therapy session and took this picture when I was halfway done.
June 3, 2026 – Sorry for the close-up photo! I’m trying out tubing mascara, and I do like the way it coats my lashes. (My eyes have started to feel irritated when I wear mascara, so I’m trying out other options that will hopefully be better for sensitive eyes.)
June 4, 2026 – This is a new behavior from my girls: simultaneous hammocking! I think it’s the most adorable thing (I mean, I think everything they do is the most adorable thing…) and was thrilled to get it on camera. Usually, one of them will get up to greet me when I see them hammocking together, but they stayed put this time around!
June 5, 2026 – We did some patio reading time once I finished my workday, and Eloise was more than happy to enjoy the fresh air with me!
What’s the last photo you took?
OOOOH I have never tried tubing mascara,but your lashes look AMAZING. I also love that bench– what a great idea. It’s never bad to have an extra seat stashed somewhere, and the storage is a huge perk.
I was skeptical of the tubing mascara but I have been impressed! I really like how long-lasting it is, and there’s something a little cathartic about really digging into my eyelashes to take it off at night, HA.
Simultaneous Hammocking!!! It should be an olympic sport.
Your mom is technically correct that you bought books in May, but as an accountant we can count it in June since that’s when the money went out. You classify all of your other spending by when the cash left, so it’s consistent. Tell your mom that your accounting is on a cash basis and not on the accrual method! Plus since you got the books on May 31, you went a full 30 days without buying any books…that’s a month regardless of what the calendar says.
I love the way you think! And yes, it still counts! Plus, it was only $15 at the end of the day, which is still WAY LESS than previous months.
Elisabeth turned me onto tubing mascara! I really like it! I do sometimes sort of pull the mascara off my eyelashes as a sort of fidgeting thing I do in the afternoon.
That is a great stack of books! I am so tempted to buy Whistler which came out this week but it looks like I only have a 3 week wait for the ebook so I will stay strong and not spend money.
The last pic I took was of the boys at the wading pool we ate at this am. It’s going to be hot today so we are taking advantage of the weather!
I have found something cathartic about digging into my eyelashes to take off the mascara at night, lol. I don’t know why, but it feels good!
I am ALL ABOUT being in a body of water right now!
I am a convert to tubing mascara and I don’t ever see myself going back! It’s a tiny bit of a pain to get off at the end of the day but it NEVER budges. Love!
You have such a great eye for interior design. Everything looks so cohesive and chic.
This is such a sweet compliment. Thank you!
I’ve never heard of tubing mascara – I will need to check into that. I haven’t been able to tolerate mascara for years.
I love your bench!!! I can envision you sitting there, wearing your tiara, with a cat on each side of you.
Okay, Michelle, you just gave me the BEST IDEA for a photo. One day! I would have to somehow take it myself because Lila would run away from an actual photographer, but how cute would that be????
That bench is a perfect fit! I love it when something works like that. And the cats, being adorable as always. The last photo I took is of Newman, naturally.
I was so happy to find a bench that fit so perfectly AND it’s pink! So far, the cats have left it alone. Fingers crossed!
That is an awkward nook, and the little bench fixes it so perfectly! And for storage, BONUS. I will keep my fingers crossed that the cats don’t scratch it up!
The storage has really been a gamechanger. It’s nice to have an easy place to store blankets and extra bedding supplies!
Is that a Lily King book I don’t know about??? I’ll be interested to hear how it is! Now I want to go to a bookstore…
I love that bench! It’s perfect for that space. Hopefully your cats have plenty of other places to scratch and they’ll leave it alone. Love the hammocking photo!
I believe Euphoria is King’s debut! For the longest time, I thought it was what the TV show Euphoria was based on, but it’s definitely not, lol. I’m excited to read it!
They have SO MANY DAMN SCRATCHERS. And they have already torn up my bedframe, so hopefully they just keep using that as a scratching post because I’ve given up on keeping them away from it, lol.
$15 for 6 books and there was a giftcard and it doesn’t hit the account until June? that is so much awesome girl mathing I think you are clear for June too!
I adore your bench as well and hope the girls are behaving around it!!!!
I didn’t know about tubing mascara. Very interesting. I hope it helps too!
So far, so good with the bench! I like to believe that they know it’s way too pretty to ruin with scratching!
I’m just saying, if you’d like some lovely summer weather and an apartment to decorate, I’m right here (with my nearly 20-year-old furniture + blank walls). I didn’t inherit anything resembling a style gene, whether it’s for me or my living space. You, however, clearly did. I’m simultaneously envious and kind of whiny (why can’t I make my space look like that??). (All of this to say, you have a wonderful eye for style, I’m envious, and for right now I’ll just shake my head in amazement at your ability to just…find things that work. Go, you.)