Stuff We’re Into July 2026

I feel like such an adult when I say things like "man, this month went by really fast." And yet, here we are.

July was a full one. I'm still deep in needlepoint land, working through the final project from my original 2020 pile. Late nights have been split between stitching and reading through Aunt Dell's diaries from the 1930s, which has been equal parts absorbing and surreal. Add in a very large project wrapping up at work and I'm genuinely glad to turn the page. August brings visitors and some much needed rest, and I am more than ready for both.

But even in a busy month, there's always something that catches the eye. Here's what found its way onto the list this July.

Simple Pleasures and the Case Against the Smartphone

There is a part of me that genuinely wants to toss modern technology into the sea. My relationship with my iPhone is complicated at best. I find myself nostalgic for the days when a Blackberry felt cutting edge, or better yet, the early 2000s when a flip phone and a game of Snake was the height of excitement. So when Instagram served me an article about Light and their intentionally simple phones, I took a screenshot immediately. Will I actually make the switch? I'm not sure. But the appeal of doing more to get back to something real is not lost on me.

On that same analog note, I am actively campaigning for this Butler's Bell from Establish Home Co. as our doorbell. We don't actually have a doorbell at the moment, just a knocker, and something about pulling a proper bell feels both charming and completely right for us. I could absolutely convince myself I'm receiving guests in the English countryside. I'd love every single ring of it.

LL Bean dropped their new Christmas collection this month, as they do, and the needlepoint fair isle stockings stopped me completely. All three patterns are incredible! The nautical, the dogs, and the classic outdoorsy Maine. I feel like I need them all? I've already floated the idea of a second set of stockings for our bedroom fireplace. My husband has not yet said no, which I'm choosing to interpret as enthusiasm.

This summer I've been stitching outdoors instead of reading, but what I really want is to be properly lounging. A beautiful vintage iron chaise slipped through my fingers on LiveAuctioneers this month and I am still thinking about it. If anyone knows of a lovely outdoor lounger that actually looks beautiful and won't cost thousands of dollars, please report immediately.

And finally, I have admired the work of Alana Burns for a long time. Her shell sconces entitled "Las Gotas" are absolutely stunning. They don't fit the current aesthetic of our house but I love them deeply and felt they deserved a moment here regardless.

Fashion Worth Dreaming About

I committed earlier this year to finishing existing creative projects before taking on anything new, and I'm making real progress. That said, a girl is allowed to plan ahead. Getting a kit from Underwater Basket Weaving Studio is firmly on the 2027 list. The only problem is that choosing just one feels completely impossible.

These shell and gemstone charms from Vero Vero Nico are so good it's almost annoying. Another situation where choosing just one feels wrong. Family and friends, please consider this your Christmas guidance.

The new embellished kitten heels from Tory Burch are so dreamy. They feel modern and a little quirky but also like something you might have seen a grandmother wear beautifully in the 1950s. Pieces that can genuinely transcend time are rare and worth noting when they appear.

I recently discovered the Instagram account My Ralph Lauren Love Affair and this woman has mastered the secondhand game completely. The vintage needlepoint vest she found checks every single box. I've said it before and I will say it again… POLO COUNTRY, COME BACK!!!! The idea of layering a current Polo Ralph Lauren cotton maxi dress under that vest is the kind of outfit that makes me wish we all had unlimited resources and these treasures could easily pop up for all of us.

The crab bag and shell clutch from The Vin Store round out this round up perfectly. They describe their pieces as vintage inspired conversation starters, and I would genuinely welcome every conversation that crab bag would start.

The Garden, The Living Room, and What's Coming Together

This is the slide I look forward to most because it's the most real.

My husband has been quietly transforming our outdoor space and watching it evolve has been one of the genuine joys of this summer. We planted a small starter garden last year and seeing how much it has grown and taken off this season is genuinely exciting. He's currently adding a Colonial Williamsburg inspired brick path to start defining the spaces for the gardens we eventually want across the property. My contribution to outdoor growing this summer is a box bed on the deck that has become an absolute bounty of basil. It's a start. These are the inso photos I’m giving him when we get to the garden spot we’ll carve out to grow food. I’m so exited to when we get to this phase of the garden evolution.

Inside, the living room refresh is moving along. The old faded grasscloth wallpaper is almost entirely gone and our beautiful sconces ordered from England are now installed. I did a little AI visualization work to help me decide between the two wallpaper colors I've been torn on, and seeing a fake room mocked up in both was genuinely useful. We're also adding wood wainscoting to tie the space into the rest of the first floor and ground everything together. I'll tell you more about what I chose and why once it's done, but I'm really excited about where this is heading. When you work from home, making your space feel personal isn't just an aesthetic choice. It's everything.

If July moved too fast for you too, I hope there was at least one small moment in it that felt like yours.

XX,
B