Welcoming June & Revisiting Timeless Stories

Ready to get your summer ON? The Midwest is so amazing in summer as the landscape grows lush and moods grow giddy. Farmer’s markets, festivals, and lake life begin. When I peek outside, I’m shocked at how fast everything is growing. Including weeds. I’m not well enough to be weeding the garden beds just yet, but soon and very soon, I hope! Just in case you were busy having a life and overlooked these Hello Lovely posts with timeless stories…give ’em some love!

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Timeless Stories & Tranquil Ideas

Peeks at Our Renovated Kitchen

I have been sharing personal reflections more often these days. Find them HERE, and stay tuned for a doozy.

I wish this weren’t true, but it feels much more vulnerable in 2025 to share peeks at home than it was back in 2010.

More online criticism and cruelty.

However, when I consider that the cruelty is coming from that small 2% of folks who actively engage and comment, things don’t seem nearly as sad.

What I mean is, of all of the people who use the internet, only 2% of them are actually writing responses and participating.

So when we feel like “everyone” is negative…it’s only a portion of that 2%. 98% of internet users are simply lurking and not leaving footprints such as positive or negative feedback.

The marble bowl on the board above is a favorite, and good gracious, I’m thinking about getting another since it looks good everywhere for holding jewelry to flowers to fruit.

A Timeless House Tour You’ll Fall For!

French Chateau Paint Palette

Mais non, mademoiselle, we are not too intimidated by a breathtaking Provence chateau to take cues from its color story for our own selfish purposes…come see!

Still trying to tweak my own French courtyard in the backyard. While I don’t own a collection of beautiful pricey aged French pots, I have a setting for them to die for!

Don’t you love all the seagrass and rattan that feels right at home in summer? Relaxes me in one fell swoop.

Modern French Fantasies of Tranquility

We can never go too long without touring a surprising South of France wonder.

Such a modern and edgy approach to making over this chateau, and for me, its success has nothing to do with whether I agree with every design choice. What I celebrate is FREEDOM and agency.

Freedom, guys. To dream, scheme, then do what suits you and your very personal preferences and needs.

Freedom to enjoy it all with a liberal dose of humor and heart.

I won’t stop preaching these convictions I have about HEARTFULNESS. They matter. Your liberation matters. What haters think? NEXT…

Mood Board YUM

I still love me a cute mood board and can’t say I ever tire of seeing those created by others!

No sponsored relationships for products like these below, just authentic satisfaction with repurchasing them:

Are chocolate chip cookies your weakness? Please direct me to your favorite recipe or baking secret!

Memorably Greige

Finding Lovely’s gorgeous farmhouse kitchen with light grey cabinets, white walls, and rustic wood is a model of serene elegance in THIS.

If you live with chronic illness, than you may relate more to this than you care to:

I have all sorts of unsavory symptoms at the moment, and I struggle to not feel as if life is passing me by. Social media can amplify that illusion. But I’m here to remind you that in fact, life does not shrink when your illness blooms. It simply transforms. Like a season. Like weather. Things will get better. They will.

Greet Lefevre’s Belgian Home

We love her style and gorgeous Belgian interiors and gardens.

My nervous system calms as I behold the perfectly pared down rustic beauty here.

Before & Afters from Hello Lovely

We revisited renovations my husband and I muddled through in THIS.

Ever wonder if I miss the homes we perfected then left behind since I’m always seeing photos?

I do! I honestly do, and it aches sometimes. But my desire to create, make room for new, and then grow stronger is fierce. This may not make sense to those who lean toward getting anchored. We’re a diverse bunch, and what a gift to be able to pour yourself into what you value most.

Thinking About Adding White Quartz?

READ THIS first.

Stockholm Inspo

Take this for a spin to peek at chic Swedish style.

Have you visited Scandinavia? It’s on my list.

Which Viatera Quartz?

I have ideas for you in THIS.

I love those counter stools! So coastal!

Review of Soprano Quartz Counters

When we remodeled our Arizona kitchen, I thought we would stay for a long time so we opted for lots of high quality fixtures. Even though we didn’t hang on to the property, those choices definitely helped us stand out in the market.

Mary Oliver Magic

Her poetry and books are such a gift, and here’s a collection of some favorite excerpts.

What is it about blue in summertime? Oh my, this kitchen just tugs at my heartstrings!

Tranquil Colors to Sample

It helps to see various rooms painted the same color since the lighting and context make such a difference as far as how it conveys. See THIS for zen neutrals.

And now I’m craving strawberry shortcake! Not sure I have had it since the dawn of low rise jeans.

Even though this tweet above is silly, it’s wise. Two is still a very low number of rodeos. Duh.

Days of Encouragement & Roses

There are days where we need to prop each other up. These pinnable quotes and reflections on roses are just for you.

When I consider the baskets below, I’m reminded that my own collection is scattered all around the house, with even more in the basement. Just the thought of alike things spread over three levelss makes me nutty. Time to organize the stuff I use to organize. Wait. What?

Thanks for reading me with tenderness, visiting here, and leaving such kindhearted responses. xox

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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