a lifestyle blog for book lovers

Just for fun: a few of the relatively small, relatively inexpensive things that are making life a little bit better lately:

bkr02-book-darts
1. BOOK DARTS
My whole family (even the 5-year-old) loves and uses these beautiful, magical little bookmarks. They mark not only your space, but the exact spot where you left off reading. I use them to flag passages I want to come back to, especially when I’m planning to write about something. So much prettier than post-it notes.

Target sandals

2. TARGET SANDALS
Target brought back my favorite old sandals for this season, which is great because my go-to pair is looking a little shabby (even though they’ve held up remarkably well. You can’t beat great style for $16. I’m tempted to get them in every color but I’m sticking with pewter.

coffee rub

3. TRADER JOE’S COFFEE RUB
Add this to my TJ’s favorites list. I’ve been wanting to try a coffee rub for years, but never did it until I saw this cute little $2 can on the “just arrived” endcap. We tried it that night and we are hooked. So far we’ve had it on flat iron steak and chicken breasts.

Hot tips: you’ll get better results if you season your food an hour in advance, but it’s pretty darn good even if you don’t plan ahead. It doesn’t smell that great in the can but don’t let that stop you. And if you love it, stock up, because when this seasonal item is gone, it’s gone.

garden flowers

4. FLOWERS FROM THE GARDEN
I’m a fresh flowers junkie, and I love this time of year when we can snip a few stems from the backyard and bring them inside. I love it even more when my kids do it.

staedtler pens

5. STAEDTLER PENS
I received my first pack as a surprise, anonymous gift two years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. Everyone needs to find the pen that works for them, and these work for me—and make my handwriting halfway legible, most of the time.

my desk home office

6. GROVE CANDLES
I briefly fell out of the candle lighting habit when the weather warmed up, but I made myself get back to it and I’m so glad I did. I light a candle when I sit down to work in the early morning, and I light a candle when we’re cleaning up the kitchen at night. It’s such a soothing, sweet-smelling ritual, and Grove Collaborative’s candles are the best.

iced coffee

7. ICED COFFEE
I adore iced coffee season because it’s just so easy to make, and enjoy. No hot water, stirring, or measuring needed—just pour and go. Pioneer Woman’s recipe is my favorite.

everlane tanks

8. EVERLANE TANKS
These are the backbone of my summer uniform and they’re working great. The Ryan style is great for casual days, but I especially love the linen tank: it feels cool, looks polished, and goes with everything. (A good thing, because I’m wearing these practically every day.)

twinkle-lights

9. TWINKLE LIGHTS 
The lights make this my favorite place to hang out when the sun goes down.

What are the little things YOU are loving right now? I’d love to hear them in comments. 

30 comments

Leave A Comment
  1. Jamie says:

    Learning more about blog land, some black and white pics of my boys and me, so much more time with my husband, that he gave me the whole. day. yesterday while he took the boys, that that gift made his camping trip today much more bearable, watching His Body grieve over evil and injustice – He always does something for His glory in the midst of suffering. Costco cheese (seriously best I’ve had), Play It Again Sports for some baseball essentials, photography. Know what I’m not loving? $35 late fee at library. Oops.

  2. Ciera S says:

    Cute and simple sandals are the best. My list would be:
    -flowy skirts
    -reversible gold/pearl stud earrings (a birthday present last week)
    -coloring books for adults

  3. Sara K. says:

    I am slowly building my wardrobe, and this summer I have focused on adding a few simple, flowy dresses. There’s nothing like summer dresses!

  4. Amanda B. says:

    I love Target sandals! Every time I go to Target (which is far too often) I take a stroll through the shoe aisle and pick up 3 new pairs 🙂 But for $16 sandals, you can’t beat it!

  5. Brigid says:

    I LOVE Staedtler pens, iced coffee, coffee rub, flowers, AND twinkle lights which makes me think I may love the rest of these items as well… Everlane bags have been great for me, so I may need to get into their tanks as well.

  6. I just love a great set of pens in every color. I keep them in a mug near my journal and close my eyes to pick a random color each time I write.

    This little pleasure is a sweet expectation granted each and every time.

  7. liz n. says:

    I’m in love with the new Linen Grid fabric I just got from The Purl Bee. I’m in a sewing frenzy this weekend!

    Also, coffee granita with a touch of whipped cream is my afternoon pick-me-up lately!

  8. Amy M says:

    I love this list! Fresh flowers are definitely on my summer list as well. We recently moved into a home where the previous owners had set up a gorgeous flower garden. I’m determined to keep it going.

    On my summer list? Novel reading, limeade, linen clothes and fresh berries!

  9. Dana says:

    I am loving a new found freedom to abandon books I am not enjoying. I have always been a dutiful reader and made myself finish things. Recently, however, I have decided my reading time needs to be protected for books I enjoy or am learning from. If I am dreading my reading time, then something is wrong.I am giving books a fair shot before stopping, but no more guilt. I put down 2 books in the last week and the freedom was exhilarating! One of them I will come back to at another time ( timing is everything in reading, is it not?), the other was just not a good fit. So many books, so little time to waste!

  10. Ana says:

    I love (and really want to try!) everything on your list. That’s not usual for me with these types of posts (from others). I’m loving: Yasso greek yogurt bars, lunches of jalepeno chicken hummus wraps (that I invented),and miraculously needing less sleep (it happens every summer, and then I crash)

  11. Trude says:

    Love those sandals! I just picked up some basic ballet flats at Tarjay, they have a bit more support than Old Navy’s (and I burn through them so fast I never spend more than that for work flats). I’ll definitely have to try Everlane’s linen tanks, I love their basic t’s. My list right now includes the Hardcore History podcast, Google Keep for all my lists and bright lipstick like Clinique Punch Pop. 🙂

  12. Anne says:

    I’d like to try an Everlane tank sometime. I am loving the Mother-Daughter Book Club series. I feel a bit sheepish saying that, but I think it’s fun!

  13. Paula says:

    I don’t always use book darts now, but when my now 11yo daughter was first mobile up until she was 4 or so, they were all I could use when reading. If I left even the tiniest sliver of a bookmark sticking out of a book, she’d yank it right out.

    I’ll have to check out those pens. I recently bought myself my first fountain pen. I’ve always wanted one, but they just aren’t in the budget. However, when my local Staples had Parker fountain pens for 75% off just after graduation season, I snagged one and fell in love. It’s all I use at home now and I love it and how my writing looks when I use it. But, I don’t want to take it out with me and chance losing it. My previous go-to pen was a UniBall, but I’m not loving them as much after using my beautiful fountain pen.

  14. Ashley says:

    I’ve been wanting to try the Everlane tanks but I’m afraid that the neckline will be too low. I have their v-neck t-shirt and it’s lower then what I’m used to, especially with a toddler. 😉 I might have to try it anyway – I love what they’re doing.

    I’ve fallen out of the habit of lighting candles now that it’s warmer. We still light one at dinner but not so much during the day.

    I’m finally going through some of the cookbooks you mentioned a while back and I was wondering what you prepare when you’re having guests over. I know your family was gluten-free at one point, so I’d love some ideas.

    • Anne says:

      For the Everlane tanks: the Ryan is definitely on the low side. The linen tank has a nice and high neckline.

      This time of year we do a ton of grilling when we have people over: meat, vegetables, fruit for dessert. We’ll often make rice or something else starchy as a side dish even though it’s not something that’s on the table much for family dinners.

  15. Sandi says:

    Hey, I am on the Target website today and noticed they are having an online BOGO 50% sale on women’s clothing, shoes, accessories, etc., in case you are looking get more of those sandals.

  16. Liesl says:

    I was excited when I saw the Target sandals were back too – and I bought 3 pairs. And then got them home and tried them on, and they are definitely not the same. Same exact size that I bought two years ago, and they were cutting into my feet! I was sad to have to return them 🙁

  17. Kim Jackson says:

    park days with the childcare, iced coffee for breakfast, iced tea for lunch & Kombucha mid afternoon with plenty of water in between, long sunny days, line dried laundry, fresh flowers, grilled suppers, quiet time on the deck surrounded by hanging plants.

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