Welcome back to The Simply Beautiful Life, my weekly series where I share simple ideas, cozy inspiration, and the little things that make everyday living feel special. Think of this as your Sunday coffee companion — a way to slow down, savor the season, and add more beauty to your week ahead.
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🕯️ Seasonal Spotlight
It’s been a quieter, slower kind of fall around here. Between recovering from COVID, a fractured tooth, and just general fatigue, I haven’t done nearly as much decorating as I usually do this time of year, and honestly, I’ve made peace with that. I have a few fall things to share before the holiday decor comes out but I’m fine with taking it a little easier this year.
Instead of focusing on pumpkins and garlands, I’ve been drawn to creating calm, clearing surfaces, simplifying, and noticing how the late afternoon light fills our 1880s home this time of year. It feels like the right kind of reset before we head into the holidays.
We also met with a contractor this week who will be putting a new roof on our house. It’s exciting but also a little nerve-wracking to take on such a big project right now. Still, our home is long overdue for the care, and it feels good to finally move forward. B has also been making progress on the porch railing, and I can’t wait to see it all come together.
✨ Words to Carry With You
“Peace is not found in a calmer life. It’s found in a calmer mind.”
— Unknown
These words have been sitting with me lately. As life slows and routines shift, I’m trying to find calm not just in my surroundings, but inside myself, through the small rituals that make home feel like a sanctuary.
🏡 From My Home
This past week, I’ve been focusing on clearing clutter and planning a major workspace cleanup before the holidays. Between Raspberry Creative, the blog, and my reselling business, my office tends to become the catch-all. I know I’ll feel lighter and more inspired once I make it more functional again.
Even without much new decor, the home has felt cozy. Lamps on early, warm dinners at the table, and evenings spent curled up under a throw blanket, all little reminders that simple moments matter most.
📚 Savor the Season
I just finished The Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber, and it was such a fun, spooky October read, 4.5 stars from me! This has been such a stellar reading year, and I’m hoping to finish it strong. There’s something about fall reading that feels extra magical, candlelight, a cup of tea, and the faint sound of wind outside.
If you’re looking for something atmospheric but still light enough to breeze through, I highly recommend it.
💛 Things I’m Loving
- The softest knit throw that’s been living on my reading chair; perfect for cozying up on chilly evenings with my current book.
- Warm, spiced candles (this one from Antique Candle Co. is my current favorite).
- Freshly baked banana bread with extra walnuts.
- My new organizational bins for sorting inventory; small, satisfying progress toward that workspace cleanup.
- A slower, calmer rhythm; no pressure to do it all, just taking each day as it comes.
🌅 Looking Ahead
Coming up this week on the blog:
Tuesday: A Look around our October Home
Thursday: November Reads | Dark Academia & Enchanted Worlds to Get Lost In
Sunday: The next edition of The Simply Beautiful Life
Thank you for being here, friend. It means the world to share this space with you each week. Here’s to finding peace, purpose, and beauty in the in-between. 🕯️
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