I like to keep a list in my journal of the (mostly) little, everyday things bringing me a disproportionate amount of happiness right now. I love writing posts like this, and realized it’s been a good long while—much longer than I intended—since I’d written one. I hope you enjoy catching up with me.
1. Food in bowls
In every season we fall into a few go-to easy dinners, and this summer our easy go-to for our family of six (plus frequent guests) has been “food in bowls.” Burrito bowls, spring roll bowls, salad bowls of many varieties, pork tenderloin stir-fry bowls, pasta bowls, you name it. When dinner is food in bowls, we typically set up the individual components of the meal on the island, and let everyone serve themselves. (I link to recipes we love almost every week in Links I Love; many of these have translated especially well to assemble-your-own bowl dinners.)
On bowl nights we dirty a lot of dishes: we’ll set out substantial components of the meal (sautéed meat, roasted vegetables) in serving dishes and often use these inexpensive little Target dip bowls to hold smaller ingredients and garnishes, so everyone can assemble the bowl that makes them happy. Sometimes prep takes longer than I’d like it to, because I love my garnishes—julienned carrots, sliced green onions, matchstick peppers—but it’s pleasantly mindless and easy to clean up. (It’s also proven to be a great way to clean out the fridge when we have extra grilled meat on hand or vegetables that need to be used pronto.)
Sure, this plan is versatile, but I think the fun factor of dinner in bowls is a big reason we keep repeating them this season. These are the bowls; as you’ll see, ours are colorful but they’re also available in an all-white set if that’s your thing.
2. A simple braided belt and brown flats to match
When it’s hot outside (and wow has it been hot outside), I tend to go very simple with my wardrobe. (Maybe even more so than usual?) This summer I’ve been wearing the same tees and tanks over and over again, with shorts for days at home and linen or other cropped pants if I need to go out in the world looking reasonably professional.
I don’t always do belts, and sometimes I do sneakers, but the combo I’m most often reaching for to pull these separates into an outfit is this easy-to-wear, summery J.Crew Plaited Italian leather belt (mine is in raw cashew) and these versatile brown Vionic flats that work great for my wide feet and remain comfortable for miles and miles.
If you remember my go-to apparel from last summer: these breezy navy dresses remain a wardrobe staple if I’m craving variety or the idea of putting on pants is unbearable.
3. Reading outside in the early mornings
Have I mentioned it has been HOT here? So many 90-degree days, with so much humidity. Yet I can’t bear staying inside all the time, so I’ve been prioritizing early morning walks and patio sitting. An early morning cup of coffee and a few chapters of a good book outside in that precious first hour of daylight has proven to be an excellent way to start the day. (Of course Daisy agrees.)
4. Mosquito abatement
Despite our best efforts, the mosquitoes have been intense this year. Many of you recommended this little gadget to keep the mosquitoes at bay, and it’s helping. I’m grateful the Thermacell has made my early morning (and sometimes, evening) patio time possible.
But in case anyone needs a rec: when we inevitably get bitten, it’s Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment that helps me sleep at night.
5. Essay and short story collections
This summer, for reasons both personal and professional, I’ve been reading more short story and essay collections than I have in ages and I’m enjoying the process so much! I’m not ready to talk about my favorites, but if you have favorites I’d love to hear them in comments.
6. Repotting houseplants
It’s now been many, many years since I got over my brown thumb and filled our home with houseplants. Over the years I’ve grown reasonably comfortable with caring for them, but have still felt out of my league with things like repotting and pruning. But this year, it became painfully obvious that I needed to repot some of my plants or they were going to die on me.
And so I’ve spent a few satisfying hours recently playing musical houseplants: consulting YouTube, deciding which plants needed pruning, which ones needed new dirt, and which needed bigger pots, and then—the hardest part—actually doing it. I’m still waiting to see what kind of long-term results I’ll get from the plants that needed hard pruning, but several of the repotted plants looked much happier, immediately.
What (mostly) little things are bringing YOU a disproportionate amount of happy lately? I’d love to hear in comments.
P.S. Previous editions of little things I’m loving: 9 (mostly) little things I’m loving for late summer, 8 little things I’m loving lately: kitchen edition, 9 (mostly) little things I’m loving for late summer, 8 (mostly) little things I’m loving for winter, 9 (mostly) little things I’m loving lately: kitchen edition, 8 (mostly) little things I’m loving for early fall, 9 little things I’m loving this September, 6 things I’m loving for early summer, 5 late fall/early winter favorites, 7 little January favorites, 9 October favorites, and 7 not terribly exciting things making me really happy these days.