Are you intentional when it comes to finding joy in your home? I’ve created a home that I love just by allowing myself to be “perfectly imperfect” and enjoying what is around me in the present moment. I’ll share some inspirational tips from my friend Melissa Michael’s new book “A Lovely Life” which shows us how to love our home by savoring the simple joys around us.
Savoring the Simple Joys In My Home
I’m a homebody. My home is my favorite place to be. If you walked into my home you would instantly feel comfortable and at ease. At least I hope you would.
And the best part? My lovely life is not about perfection…it’s about intention.
A simple candle or essential oils in a diffuser can bring joy to a room instantly as well as a beautiful bunch of flowers, fresh or faux.
Affiliate links are used for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.
A Lovely Life
My friend, Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room, has just published a new book that I have not been able to put down. “A Lovely Life” is full of inspiring ideas to help all of us enjoy our homes just as they are.
A Lovely Life is about creating the kind of atmosphere at home you’ve always dreamed about, one day, one season at a time. You’ll feel inspired to elevate even the most ordinary moments at home and discover tangible ways to make every day a better one….all year long.
A Lovely Life will show you ways you can:
- Practice simple homemaking and soul tending rhythms and rituals
- Cultivate more peace, contentment, and joy in your surroundings throughout the year
- Embrace simplicity in your life and home in every season
- Nurture your well-being through the beauty you create or discover around you
- Seek renewal in spring, refreshment in summer, reconnection in autumn, and rest in winter
This book is filled with inspiration and practical ideas to savor the simple joys around you and in your home. It offers gentle encouragement throughout to focus on being intentional with your days, ideas, tasks, and mindsets as you seek, create and savor the beauty found in every season.
PRE-ORDER BONUS
Who doesn’t like a freebie? If you pre-order Melissa’s new book, A Lovely Life, by May 5th, you’ll receive…
- A Lovely Life planner
- Botanical art prints
- CLICK HERE for the details.
This goes perfectly with the book.
DON’T MISS THE GIVEAWAYS
Make sure you read to the end because we are giving away Lovely Bundles and you definitely will want to enter!
Savoring the Simple Joys of an Old Home’s History
Do you know what the best thing about living in a charming old house is? All of its imperfections…I think that’s what they call character! It DEFINATELY has that lived-in feeling.
There’s always a dog in the bed. This is Ollie.
This may sound crazy but every single time I walk into a room where I can feel the floor beneath me sloping down towards the water (did I happen to mention that I live in an old house) it makes me smile.
I think of all the history that has happened in this sweet little beach cottage and that I am able to pick up where the last owner left.
Here’s where we live, in a 1920 beach cottage in the Pacific Northwest, about 60 miles SW of Seattle, WA.
Garden Therapy is My Biggest Joy of All
Fresh cut flowers are one of the things I savor and appreciate the most. I love bringing beautiful blooms into the house so much that I decided to grow them myself so I would never run out.
My greenhouse is currently full of seedlings that I’ll be transplanting to the garden beds next week.
Whether I’m in my cut flower garden or greenhouse, sowing seeds, I get plenty of garden therapy. Any time I can get my hands dirty is a good day.
The beauty of garden therapy is that you don’t have to have a lot of time or space to enjoy growing flowers or vegetables.
Container gardens are another great way to enjoy all that gardening has to offer.
Being Comfortable and Savoring the Little Things
I’m all about comfort in my home and creating an inviting and welcoming home.
We don’t take our shoes off and dogs are allowed on the furniture.
There’s always a throw to wrap up in, a yummy-smelling candle to burn, and flowers to enjoy.
What can you do to add “warm and comfy” elements to your home? Mix in some decorative pillows, a throw blanket, and an amazing area rug and you’ll be set.
Savoring the Puget Sound and the Beach
This is the view in front of our home.
We go kayaking and swimming in the bay during the summer, and take the dogs to play on the beach and take a swim whenever we can.
Eating alfresco on the deck is better than in any restaurant.
If the season is right, have a picnic in your backyard or dinner on the patio. I can’t tell you the joy I feel when I’m outside with friends and family enjoying a meal or just kicking back and relaxing.
Time For a Giveaway
Enter to Win a Lovely Garden Bundle
And now I get to giveaway A Lovely Garden Bundle! Enter HERE to win.
But Wait… There are 5 Giveaway Bundles!
At each of the 6 blog stops on the tour this week you’ll find different lovely prize bundles, so be sure to enter them all!
To enter each giveaway, fill out the form on each blog stop! The tour schedule and links are below.
ENJOY THIS WEEK’S LOVELY LIFE BOOK TOUR
Start with today (click each link below) and find the next three stops on the tour!
Tuesday, April 26th
Melissa | The Inspired Room
Brendt | She Gave it a Go – Lovely Book Bundle
YOU’RE HERE! | Shiplap and Shells – Lovely Garden Bundle
Robyn | Robyn’s French Nest – Lovely Morning Bundle
Thursday, April 28th
Melissa | The Inspired Room
Sarah | Grace in My Space – Lovely Book Bundle
Bre| Rooms for Rent – Lovely Gatherings Bundle
Rhoda | Southern Hospitality – Lovely Evening Bundle
Thank you so much for being here. I just know you will love Melissa’s book, A Lovely Life as much as I do. Let me know if you have any questions about preordering the book or entering any of the drawings offered on this tour.
Until next time,
PIN AND SAVE ON PINTEREST
If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please pin and share this on Pinterest.
Other Posts For You
Let’s Connect on Social Media
- Follow me @shiplapandshells on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook
- Join my Facebook Gardening Tips & Tricks Group.
I need to check out this book thanks for the rec!
I love gardening and I get so excited when the flowers bloom.
Gardening is my therapy. I love the images.
Ollie is definitely a show stealer. What a cute pup! I would love to win a bundle but I could not figure out how to refer a friend. Thanks for posting and sharing your beautiful home!!
Thanks for this post!
I love this! I definitely need to change my mindset!
Your greenhouse is your therapy…but scrolling through your pictures is mine! It calmed down my overstimulated-too- much- stuff- on-my-mind- for- a- Monday brain!!!
Your gardens never fail to inspire me. We live in the chilly Northeast, but the pictures of your gardens help me to remember what is to come.
Your posts are always inspirational as well as informative. I am amazed how you utilize the space in your home. It is beautiful, functional and inviting.
What a lovely compliment Ann. Thank you so much for your kind words and for being here.
Your poor sweet puppy! ( and you of course) Dentists..a necessary evil in my book. Your garden is absolutely beautiful…I couldn’t pick a favorite spot if I had to. What will you do with the raised beds once the tulips are done blooming? I have some of my garden planted but the weather here in central VA has not been normal. Oh my. This is my comment for your giveaway. Peace.
Hi Cynthia. Hope you had a good weekend. I actually spent the day transplanting my flower seedlings for suummer to the raised beds today. The tulips were pretty spent and what was still blooming I cut to put in my house. I don’t think the weather has been normal anywhere this spring. It was definitely an adventure though. Thank you for visiting. Good luck with the giveaway.
Your gardens, views and home are so lovely. It brings me peace just looking at them. Thanks for all that you share!! Your blog is my favorite!
You have made my day Linda. Thank you for such a nice compliment. Enjoy the week ahead.
Always here for the doggie photos! So cute. We had an ollie, he was a rescue aged 11 that everyone thought would not make it as he was in pretty bad shape. Hence the name Oliver for Oliver Twist. He lived another five years though and I loved him madly, will always miss him. Yay, tulip season! My favorite.
It makes me so happy to hear that Ollie ( or Oliver) lived another 5 years with you, Jillian. How sweet that you rescued him at an older age. Tulips season is always such a pretty time of year.
Thank you for the giveaway. Your blog always inspires me especially with your beautiful pictures. Gardening is my favorite activity.
Wishing you good luck on the giveaway Sally. It’s such a sweet gardening bundle. Gardening is my favorite too.
I enjoy everything you share of your home and gardens, they are a real inspiration for me.
That is so sweet of you to say, Patty. Thank you so much.
Really enjoy reading your blogs each Sunday as a way to switch up my morning routine for something more restful.
I’m so glad to hear that Suzanne. It really means a lot to hear that people like you enjoy the Sunday post. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Sounds like a delightful book Kim and I love your giveaway hop. So much fun!
Melissa is so talented Chas. I just love all her inspiration.
Your home is like being transported to a heavenly out of this world place! Life is good!
Thank you for the amazing compliment, Susan. Life is definitely good.
Love your waterfront home and especially your deck and dining ideas! Just beautiful! I live in Auburn and my favorite outings are to the shore, either to the Sound or to the ocean. The water makes such a difference to my life!
Hi Joyce, I feel the same way about the water. It is so relaxing and the sea life is so fun to watch.
Hi Kim – Just found your blog today — What a beautiful space you have — both inside and out!! I want to come over and have dinner on your deck and just look out over that beautfiul bay. Your home is such a welcoming space and looks so comfortable & inviting. I’m going to be diving into your blog to just soak in all the details. Your gardens — inspirational and that greenhouse is goals!!
All the best!!
Thank you, Megan! I am so glad you found me. It’s always so fun to have a new visitor. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kind words. They really do mean a lot.
I really love your garden! I aspire to have a mini garden one day, even if it’s on my deck 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I had a deck garden for years before moving to this house and I enjoyed it so much. It was also so much easier! Thanks for being here.
Your cutting garden is just beautiful! I am learning to garden and I am finding it to be so life-giving in more ways than one! I love your point about intentionality not perfection. When I find myself trying too hard with my home, I think of all of my friends’ homes that I have felt welcome in and it was not because they were perfect but because they were full of love, laughter and light. Thank you for sharing your home, your garden, and that view!
Thank you so much, Charisse. It has taken me some time to let go of being a perfectionist but I sure am enjoying my life a lot more now. And I’m a lot more relaxed. I love that you’re thinking of your friends’ homes and feeling welcome. I really appreciate you being here on my blog.
I love your blog, Kim. Looking forward to following you and reading more about you and your lovely home.
Thank you so much for following along Trina. I’m so glad you’re here. Have a great week.
Thank you for the giveaway, I love your gardens.
Thank you, Debbie and good luck with the giveaway.
looks nice
Thank you!
KIm
The book sounds wonderful and I look forward to reading it. Ollie is just the cutest.
Ollie says thank you, Rachel. I hope you have a chance to read Melissa’s book. It really is so inspiring.
Elegant and Unique Design. Thanks!
Thank you!
Gardens are sanctuaries — and yours are inspiring. Thank you!
I appreciate that Marian. Thank you.
It’s always so beautiful to invest in home…this book looks so life-giving!! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!
I feel the same way about the book Rebecca. Good luck with the giveaway.
What a tranquil place is your home!
Thank you so much, Susan.
I love your blog as well as Melissa’s, and have already pre ordered her new book. I must say that the photos in this blog post put a smile on my face….they are incredible and truly show how your home and gardens are a place of comfort and serenity.
You are going to love Melissa’s book, Dorene. Thank you for the kind words, I can’t tell you how much they mean to me.
I kept wanting to press a heart for all your lovely pictures of which I NEVER get tired of seeing. Yes, you have been very intentional about what you have created in your home. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Thank you, Roxanne, I love that you don’t get tired of seeing my pictures and appreciate the kind words.
Your garden and view of the sound are lovely. Looks like a relaxing space to hang out.
Thank you, Tina. It is very realaxing. Looking forward to summer for sure.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden and home!
Thank you for being here Tonya.
I love the idea of having my own cutting flower garden one day! Thank you for sharing your home.
I absolutely love having a cut flower garden and I really hope you have one too someday soon. Thank you, Tonya.
Beautiful home & garden. What a gorgeous view!!
Thank you Maria.
Love all the ideas here! And thank you for the fabulous giveaway!
Thank you so much for being here Beth. Good luck!
Your gardens are gorgeous. Within the last week I’ve decided to start container gardening. I think it will be something I’m going to love.
I’m so glad to hear that Debra. I know you are going to get such joy from your container garden.
I have so much to learn, but I dream of wading and weeding through beds of flowers on our property. One day soon!
When I first moved to our home I knew how to weed and plant a window box and that was it. It will be so easy for you to learn Emily. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can!
Wow! Your photos in this blog post were amazing first of all. This is my first time to your blog and I definitely enjoyed what you wrote. Gardening and dogs are 2 of my greatest joys as well!
I’m so happy that you visited my blog, Christina. Gardening and dogs are pretty perfect, aren’t they? Thanks for being here.
I just love this and always love your beautiful yard
Thank you so much, Kirstin!
Your gardens are gorgeous! Growing flowers is my favorite!
Thank you Jan. There’s nothing quite like growing flowers, is there?
Wonderful home and blog! What a gift it is to savor each day we are given. Thank you for inspiring each of us to live fully.
Thank you so much for the kind words, Lisa. They mean so much.
I love the idea of garden therapy. I love planting things!
Love your blog Kim!!! My garden is definitely my therapy too!
Thank you so much, Tracey. It is so nice to see you here. Garden therapy is the best and I can’t wait to see those gorgeous hydrangeas growing in your garden.
Garden therapy is the nest Rachel! I’m right there with you.
I also live in the Pacific Northwest, but not in a home as lovely as yours.
It’s always so nice to meet another PNWer Harriet. Thank you so much for being here.
Your home and gardens are beautiful! Love all the colour!
Thank you so much, Nancy!
Your flowers are beautiful and I’m so envious that you can grow dalias!
Thank you, Carrie. I am pretty lucky to be able to grow my favorite flower.
thank you for the great ideas! Looking forward to the book release! Already preordered!
You are going to love Melissa’s book, Kristen!
I dream of a yard like yours, but know I have to make the most of what I have.
A slice of heaven! Love it❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you, my friend.
Thank you, Pam. I am loving that you are making the most of what you have. Thank you for being here.
What a special home you have and your flowers are gorgeous!! What a dream to have that view!! I could sit out there for hours. Thank you so much so sharing. I look forward to following along.
I’m so happy to have you following along Pam and appreciate all your kind words.
Your garden is one of my favorites on Instagram! It’s such an inspiration.
Thank you so much, Sabrina. I am so glad you came to visit and love to hear that you enjoy my Instagram account.
The space you have created is amazing, wow!
That is so sweet of you to say. Thank you!
I love this!
I’m so glad Margo. Thank you!
Such a beautiful and peaceful retreat you’ve created!
I really appreciate it Sarah, thank you!
Thank you for sharing such wonderful ideas, Kim! It is a joy to be on the “A Lovely Life” book launch tour with you.
I love your home, and pinned several images for future reference.
xoxo,
Brendt
Thank you so much for being here Brendt. So happy to be part of the launch.