Welcome to our July Rewind Newsletter!
While summer is flying by, there’s still plenty of sunshine, warm evenings, and opportunities to enjoy the season.
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Do you love summer, or are you tired of the hot weather and excited about fall?
Even though the stores are filling up with pumpkins and cozy decor, we’re holding on to summer just a little longer!
Although I have a feeling some early fall touches might make an appearance in August!
We’ll see!
For now, we’re sharing what we’ve been up to behind the scenes, the latest DIY and decorating projects from the blog, a few favorite finds, and some inspiration to help you make the most of the weeks ahead.
WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN July
Fun 4th of July weekend
We kicked off the holiday weekend with a perfect mix of Disney magic, history, and fireworks to celebrate this special holiday.
Animal Kingdom
Since Rich had Friday off, we headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to meet the park’s newest celebrity—a baby giraffe named Ivy!
We made a beeline for Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing that morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
Unfortunately, the giraffes hadn’t made their way out yet, so we explored other areas and gave it another try later.
Thankfully, our patience paid off because we finally spotted little Ivy, and she was absolutely adorable!
After a few more rides, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Satu’li Canteen and headed home before the Florida heat became unbearable.
On our way out, we even stopped for a fun photo holding Disney’s commemorative signs celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Movie Time
On Saturday afternoon, we went to the movie theater to see Young Washington.
I hadn’t heard much about the film beforehand, so I went in with fairly low expectations, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.
It was fascinating to learn more about George Washington’s early years, and now I’m hoping they’ll make a sequel.
Rich and I both thought the actor who portrayed Washington did an outstanding job.
Fireworks at Home
One of our favorite things about living in our neighborhood is that we don’t have to travel anywhere to enjoy an amazing fireworks show.
Our neighbors definitely love fireworks, so all we had to do was put chairs at the end of our driveway for an evening filled with spectacular displays.
We Finally Bought a Second Car
Since moving to Florida, Rich and I have shared our 2013 Chevy Traverse, and it’s honestly been our favorite vehicle we’ve ever owned.
Because we both work from home, we never really needed a second car.
Lately, though, our trusty SUV has been showing its age.
The mileage keeps climbing, and little things have started needing repairs.
We no longer felt comfortable taking it on long trips, so we’ve been renting cars whenever we travel.
Rich has spent months researching vehicles and keeping an eye on dealership inventory.
This month, he finally found exactly what he was looking for, so we decided it was time.
We purchased a 2026 Hyundai Tucson, and I cannot believe how much automotive technology has changed!
I’m still learning all the new features, but it’s been a lot of fun so far.
A Quick Visit From Friends
One of the biggest highlights of the month was an unexpected visit from our friends, Kim and Todd.
They were vacationing in Florida with Todd’s parents and decided to rent a car so they could spend about 24 hours with us before heading back.
The visit was short, but we packed a lot of laughter and conversation into that day.
With everything that’s been going on lately, it was exactly what we needed.
Spending time with good friends helped take our minds off the health challenges we’ve been facing and reminded us how thankful we are for the people in our lives.
Health Update
Many of you have been checking in on us, so we wanted to share a quick update.
Rich
As I write this, Rich has just eight radiation treatments remaining out of 35!
Overall, he has handled everything remarkably well.
He’s experienced a few side effects and even had to take one day off work, but he’s continued pushing forward with such a positive attitude.
We’re both looking forward to putting this chapter behind us and celebrating the day he can officially move forward cancer-free.
Donna
I’m happy to report that my eye has completely healed, and the cornea is now smooth!
While that problem has been resolved, I was still seeing shadows whenever I looked at things in the distance.
My surgeon believed new glasses would correct it, and thankfully I found an amazing optometrist who worked patiently with me to fine-tune my prescription.
I got my new glasses on Wednesday, and I’m still getting used to them, but I am so happy to see clearly again.
After months of doctor’s appointments and expensive testing, with no answers as to why I’ve been congested and coughing up mucus all year, we think we’ve finally figured out why.
Believe it or not, we discovered that the drain pipes under our bathroom sinks had developed a buildup of biofilm—a combination of hair, soap residue, mold, and other organic matter that can harbor bacteria and fungi.
In some people, exposure to these microorganisms can contribute to respiratory irritation.
Rich has been thoroughly cleaning the pipes, and we’ll be using an enzyme drain cleaner regularly to help prevent the buildup from returning.
Thankfully, I’m feeling a little better each day, and we’re hopeful we’ve finally identified the culprit.
Our Family
We also have two family members who are currently dealing with health concerns and still searching for answers.
It’s incredibly difficult being so far away while they’re going through this.
If you’re someone who prays, we would truly appreciate your prayers—for their healing and for patience, peace, and wisdom for us as we try to help them navigate everything from afar.
We aren’t able to travel out of state right now, so we’re trusting that, in time, things will become clearer for everyone.
WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN July
If you missed any of our posts this month, just click the links below to catch up.
DIY
- DIY Shell Wreath– If you’ve ever admired beautiful shell wreaths but thought they looked too difficult to make, this project might surprise you! I was intimidated before I started, but once I got going, it felt more like putting together a fun puzzle than a difficult craft.
- How to Hang Flower Pots– Looking for a unique way to display flower pots on your porch or patio? This month’s Handcrafted Society challenge inspired me to create a charming hanging flower pot display using a pair of Hang-a-Pot holders I found at a yard sale.
- DIY Topiary Tree Set– Our DIY topiary trees have become one of my favorite front porch projects, and this month I shared the complete tutorial! If you’ve ever wondered how we made the three-tier topiaries that frame our front door, this post walks you through every step.
Decor
- Summer Decor Ideas for Everyday Spaces– If you like to add seasonal touches to your home, this post is full of simple ideas for adding summer decor.
Organization
- With everything we’ve had going on, we didn’t publish a new organization post this month, but we’ve definitely been making progress behind the scenes! We’re still decluttering around the house and currently have another box loaded in the car that’s ready to be donated. It’s amazing how much lighter a home feels when you slowly but consistently let go of things you no longer need. Little by little really does add up!
INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB
There are so many talented creators sharing amazing ideas online, and these are a few posts I thought you might enjoy this month!
From creative home projects to decorating on a budget and preparing for back-to-school season, there’s something here for everyone.
- Remodeling a Storage Closet into a Dream Butler’s Pantry – If you’re lucky enough to have a storage closet you can spare, you’ll love this transformation of a closet remodeled into a gorgeous butler’s pantry.
- 30 Fun End-of-Summer Pool Party Ideas – Can you believe there’s only a month left of summer? A pool party is the perfect way to celebrate everything summer has been before fall takes over.
- How to Find High-End Decor for Less – You all know I’m all about finding (or making) high-end decor for less! Learn these simple shopping strategies that will help you create a beautiful home without overspending.
- Why Everyone Is Thrifting – What are you waiting for? Get the ultimate guide on how to style your home with thrift store trends!
- How to Pack for College Move-In -Have a kid or know someone going to college? There’s no one “right” way to pack, but these simple tips will help you save space, stay organized, and protect the student’s belongings.
FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS
One of my favorite parts of putting together our monthly rewind is browsing the new seasonal collections!
This month, I rounded up 12 of my favorite early fall decorating finds from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection at Target.
Whether you’re ready to start decorating or just gathering ideas for the season ahead, I hope these inspire you.
Click the blue links below the photo to learn more about each product.
Green ceramic vase | Amber cloche with matches | Scalloped glass candle
Oven mitt set | Leaf arrangement | Amber glass vase
Brass pheasant | Green pedestal bowl | Brass mushroom bookends
Brass & glass cloche | Scallop brass candle | Square wood board
HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK
If you’ve been organizing along with us all year, get ready for August!
This month we’re shifting our focus to back-to-school routines and something we Floridians know all too well—emergency preparedness-hurricane style.
Even if you don’t have children heading back to school, these simple tasks can help your home run more smoothly and ensure you’re ready for whatever emergency the season brings.
- Week 32- Refresh Your Cleaning/Laundry Routine. Take a few minutes to evaluate your laundry and cleaning routines. Restock supplies, declutter your laundry area, toss empty bottles, and make sure your favorite cleaning products are easy to grab. A little maintenance now can make everyday chores much easier.
- Week 33- Organize Backpacks/Purses. Whether you’re packing backpacks for school or carrying a purse every day, now is a great time to clean them out. Remove old receipts, expired coupons, broken pens, and anything else that’s accumulated over the summer. Don’t forget to restock essentials so everything is ready to go.
- Week 34- Emergency Preparedness/Update Contact List. August is the perfect time to review your emergency plans. Check your emergency supplies, replace expired items, verify that flashlights and batteries are working, and update your emergency contact list. Taking a little time now can give you peace of mind if an unexpected situation arises.
- Week 35- Organize Medicine. Go through your medicine and safely dispose of expired medications. Group similar items together, check that you have basic first-aid supplies on hand, and make a shopping list of anything that needs replacing. An organized medicine cabinet makes it much easier to find what you need when someone isn’t feeling well.
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES
As we head into a new month, we thought it would be fun to revisit a few past favorites!
Whether you’re looking for an easy DIY, inspiration for transitioning your home from summer to early fall, or an organizing project to tackle this weekend, these posts are full of ideas to help you love your home a little more.
DIY
How to Create Beautiful Vases From Recycled Glass Jars -Before you recycle those empty glass jars, see how easy it is to transform them into beautiful custom vases! This budget-friendly DIY is a great way to create unique home decor using items you probably already have on hand.
Decor
Tips to Ease From Summer Into Cozy Season -Not quite ready to decorate for fall? You’re not alone! This post is full of simple decorating ideas that help you gently transition your home from bright summer decor to a cozier look without making it feel like autumn arrived overnight.
Organize
Best Tips to Organize & Style a China Cabinet -A china cabinet should be both beautiful and functional. In this post, I’ll share my favorite tips for organizing dishes, serving pieces, and seasonal decor while creating displays you’ll enjoy looking at every day.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for catching up with us this month!
Your kind emails and prayers mean more to our family than you know, and we’re so grateful to have such a wonderful community walking alongside us.
We’re looking forward to turning the page to August, celebrating the completion of Rich’s treatments, and sharing more seasonal inspiration to help you organize, decorate, and enjoy your home.
Until then, we hope you soak up every last bit of summer and find joy in the little moments each day.
Have a wonderful month, and we’ll see you again soon!
Blessings, Donna and Rich
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**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
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