Hosting, Hustling & Hitting Pause

The past couple of weeks have felt like a whirlwind—in the best kind of way. We hosted our first guest in our new home, celebrated a birthday and Father’s Day with family, wrapped up a room project we’ve been slowly chipping away at, and spent the weekend away in one of the most beautiful lake towns celebrating a close friend’s wedding. It’s been full, joyful, and a little chaotic at times (more on the water carafe drama in a minute). Coming home after all of it has reminded me how much I crave the balance between those busy, beautiful moments and the routines that ground me. This post is a little peek into what we’ve been up to lately—from hosting at home to a weekend away—and how I’m easing back into slower mornings and simple rhythms now that the dust has settled.

Hosting at Home

Having a guest in our new home for the first time felt really special—like a new chapter starting to unfold. We celebrated both a birthday and Father’s Day during their stay, which made the whole visit feel even more meaningful. There was something really grounding about spending quality time together in a space we’ve poured so much thought and effort into creating. From slow mornings with coffee to evening card games in our new home, it felt like the kind of everyday magic that makes a house feel like home.

In prepping for our guest, I really wanted to make the room feel cozy, thoughtful, and hotel-like—but without overcomplicating it. Simple touches like fresh towels, bedside essentials, and a pretty carafe of water made all the difference. (And yes, that carafe showed up literally 10 minutes before she arrived. I had searched all over town for one before finally ordering this blue glass one on Amazon—of course, I spotted similar ones at World Market days later. Classic.)

I’m so glad I took the time to layer in a few details that made the space feel complete for now: crisp bedding, soft lighting, and a few of my favorite Amazon finds that made styling both easy and affordable. If you’re prepping for guests this summer, I’ll link a few of my go-to items below that made this room feel extra welcoming without a full redesign.

The Hustle Before the Pause

Hosting also gave us a reason to slow down and enjoy where we are right now—literally and figuratively. With family in town, we got to celebrate both a birthday and Father’s Day in our new home, which made the week feel extra full in the best way. We explored our neighborhood more than we have since moving in—trying new restaurants, showing off our favorite spots, and just spending time together without any sort of agenda. It felt so good to play host not just in our home, but in our community too.

Of course, once our guest left, it was a quick shift from hosting mode to travel prep. We had just enough time to wash the linens, reset the room, and start packing our bags for a long weekend in Michigan to celebrate a friend’s wedding. There’s always that funny overlap between wrapping up one thing and jumping into the next—your mind is still half in “did I remember to take the towels out of the dryer?” while also checking the weather for a totally different city.

That in-between moment—between one full week and another—felt like the perfect time to take a breath and ease back into some slower routines.

Hitting Pause

After a full week of hosting and a packed weekend celebrating with friends, hitting pause doesn’t look like doing nothing—it looks like coming back to the rhythms that make everyday life feel grounded. Travel and guests always tend to pull me out of my routines (in the best way), but I’ve been craving those simple, steady mornings again—feeding the dogs, getting outside for a walk, and starting the day with a little structure. I always feel my best when I give myself that kind of foundation.

This new season of life is reminding me that rest doesn’t always have to be still—it can be resetting your home after a full week, slowly unpacking a suitcase, or even just making your own coffee again after a string of restaurant mornings. Those quiet “back to normal” rituals feel like their own kind of luxury.

Now that the guest room is finished (for now), I’m already dreaming up what space we’ll tackle next—probably the entry or the living room. But for now, I’m giving myself a moment to breathe, reflect, and enjoy the slower pace before diving into the next thing.

Thanks for being here and following along during such a full and fun couple of weeks. Sharing these moments—both the big celebrations and the little in-betweens—reminds me how special it is to document life as it’s unfolding. Whether you’re hosting this summer, heading out of town, or simply settling back into your routines, I hope you’re finding your own version of pause when you need it. Let me know in the comments what space you think we should tackle next—or what little rituals help you reset after a full season.