Wish List 157 | Summer Entertaining & Decor, Wedding Guest Dresses + More

In this post: Wednesday Weekly Wish List is the place to find recommendations and ideas, personal favorites and little pleasures that will add a bit of joy to your life.⇒

Welcome to another week of the Wednesday Weekly Wishlist, a place for a little midweek inspiration! We invite you to click the links and explore what’s enchanting us right now. Enjoy!

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1. Summer invites us to savor your outdoor areas. Don’t miss our guides: 60 Summer Porch Ideas and 60 Patio Ideas for a perfect summer setup.

2. AMAZON FINDS: See all the new things I’m finding on Amazon HERE.

3. FAVORITE FINDS:

UNDER $100

• This 2-gallon glass and rattan beverage dispenser, half price.
• This lovely warm landscape framed art.
• This glass and hyacinth grass hurricane candle holder.
• This wall sconce with a white and green plaid shade.
• Fall Preview: lumbar pillow in fall 2024 color.

OVER $100

• This handsome cocktail tufted ottoman.
• This beautiful wood and cushioned accent chair, LOVE!
• This classic black accent cabinet.
• This lovely writing desk in a few different finishes.
• This black porch rocker.

4. ANSWER TO LIFE’S LITTLE QUESTIONS: How to instantly stop a bug bite itch? Apply Preparation H to it. The itch stops instantly. How to revive cold pizza? Put it into a frying pan and cook it with a splash of water and the lid on. Get teary-eyed when cutting an onion? Run the knife under water to reduce your tears.

5. BEAUTIFUL HOMES: If you like Nancy Myers’ style—and who doesn’t—you will love this charming cottage by the sea. Take a tour of Hill House from Instagram Hillhousevintage fame. I love NYC apartments because they are so creative. See this Railroad apartment in Brooklyn.

6. CAPSULE WARDROBE- Reader’s Favorites

• This beautiful eyelet top.
• This feminine and chic midi skirt.
• This tied waist wear everywhere dress.
• This pair of wide-leg soft cropped jeans.
• This boyfriend, no-iron white tunic shirt.

7. FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS: What cheese makes up 50-60 percent of the world’s cheese consumption? What animal hums to communicate?

8. MORE BEAUTIFUL HOMES: I’m so intrigued by tiny homes like this Tennessee Farmhouse under 500 sq. feet. I adore the style, feel, and decor of Heritage Remodeled’s Home. I stopped the video at least a dozen times to study the decor. I love Low Country Design-see four different takes on this approachable style.

9. MOST POPULAR POST: Hydrangeas are quintessential summer flowers, but they tend to wilt when cut. Keeping Hydrangeas Fresh Longer provides easy, practical ways to keep them looking their best. There is even an emergency tip that will revive any wilting blooms every time!

10. CULINARY CORNER: Easy Dill Pickle Chips-Cut 2 lbs of Kirby (small) cucumbers into 1/4-inch rounds. Put them in a bath of ice water. Meanwhile, make the brine: Combine 1 1/2 cups distilled vinegar, 1/4 cup sugar, 4 tsp Celtic sea salt, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 3/4 tsp dill seeds, 2 cups hot water, 3/4 cup rough-chopped fresh dill, and 3 garlic cloves coarsely chopped. Drain the cucumbers, put them into Mason jars along with the fresh dill and garlic, and pour the brine over them. Make sure the cucumbers are submerged. Screw on the lids and turn upside down to coat the cukes. Refrigerate.

ANSWER TO #7: Gouda makes up 50-60 percent of the world’s cheese consumption. Giraffes hum to communicate. Now you know.

1. Looking for ideas for a cottage guest room? Find inspiration in our French Blue and White Guest Room. Want to host a casual summer gathering but don’t have a proper outdoor furniture? Here’s How to Host an Outdoor Summer Gathering Without a Formal Patio.

2. AMAZON PICKS: here are this week’s favorites from Amazon. You’ll also find my picks from Wayfair’s Anniversary sale on the same page!

3. One of the easiest spots in the house to decorate seasonally is the mantel. Check out these simple Ideas for Decorating Your Summer Mantel.

4. THIS WEEK ON THE BLOG I shared these ideas for decorating with mason jars, this summer coastal table setting and these garden party decorations and tabletop tips.

4. CURRENT DECOR CRUSHES UNDER $50:

• these darling lit coastal objects
• these sweet summer faux flowers
• this lovely chambray floral bird pillow
• these charming cabana beach towels

5. CURRENT DECOR CRUSHES UNDER $100:

• these dark brass organic metal bowls
• my favorite antiqued metal trays
• these fabulous rattan sconces
• this set of 2 honeysuckle framed prints

6. CURRENT DECOR CRUSHES UNDER $200:

• this beautiful summer wreath
• this wonderful traditional watering can
• this lush nearly natural olive tree
• these chic sculptural cone sconces

8. FASHION PICKS: It’s wedding season! Looking for wedding guest dresses? Try this elegant high/low chiffon dress which will take you nearly everywhere. If you want to cover your arms without being too warm, check out this sassy little cape sleeve sheath dress. Do you need long but simple? Try this cold shoulder capelet gown or this grecian chiffon piece. Going to a garden wedding? This lovely floral wrap dress is just the thing, or this one with a blouson sleeve.

9. WHAT’S INSPIRING ME AROUND THE WEB: This lovely house tour with warm neutral tones throughout that are anything but boring, this rustic chic home that’s modern but warm and inviting, and this elegant home that’s got a note of French influence on it’s modern lines.

10. UP NEXT: Staycation ideas for vacationing at home…

1.) If your gardening goal is to have as little maintenance as possible, hosta plants are the answer. As a DIY, self-taught gardener, I can honestly say that maintaining hosta plants is the easiest thing I’ve ever done outside. If you need a little convincing, just click HERE!

2.) If you’ve never checked out my Amazon shop, take a look HERE. It’s divided into easy sections, and the choices are narrowed down to items I own, plus items I would like to own!

3.) FAVORITE QUOTE: “As long as you feel pain, you’re still alive. As long as you make mistakes, you’re still human and as long as you keep trying, there’s still hope.” ~Found HERE.

4.) VERY BEAUTIFUL SPACES: this seaside cottage is truly breathtaking, (scroll just a bit to see the slideshow) and take a look at these sunrooms that truly soak up the sun, and bring the outdoors in.

5.) FAVORITE DECOR FINDS:

• this gorgeous set of blue and white lamps
• this classic blue and white tufted rug
• these stunning round placemats
• this natural round mirror that would be perfect anywhere
• this darling little bunny (on clearance with free shipping)
• this beautiful set of gold taper candle holders

6.) One of the top recipes here on the blog is the lemon ice cream pictured above. It’s so refreshing, and super easy to make. Here are all the details!

7.) Take a look at this renovated farmhouse in Connecticut that was gutted and brought back to life. I adore the wallpaper in the bathroom!

8.) I’m a royal watcher, and I loved seeing Princess Catherine at Trooping the Colour with her children. I sincerely wish her well!

9.) REPOST: DID YOU KNOW?

• I never knew that this was the best way to cut a peach! I haven’t tried it yet, but as soon as the peaches hit the farm stand, I’m going to give it a go.
• Have you ever baked a pie in a brown paper bag? Check it out HERE.

10.) My dad, who turned 90 in February, has been in the hospital this week. He developed pneumonia, but seems to be on the mend. I’m a bit behind with my blog work, so thank you very much for your patience! I’m trying to catch up, and get some new content out to you soon. Have a wonderful week…