Hello again, my darling friend,

Do you recall our brief conversation in June? When we opened the windows to let in the early summer light, rearranged the living room just slightly, and set our tables with flowers and love? Well, we’re not done. July has entered like a sun-kissed muse, whispering, “Keep going.”

If June is a gentle invitation, then July is a full embrace. The energy is lush, ripe, and vibrant, just like the cherries hanging in bunches at every market stand. The days are longer still, the nights warmer, and everything in nature seems to say: Indulge. Enjoy. Express.

So let’s do just that together, with ease, beauty, and always on a budget.

A Mood for Slow Living & Simple Style

July simply invites us to feel more instead of doing more. This month, I like to create a “holiday at home” feeling. Nothing extravagant. Just little touches that signal rest, pleasure, and presence.

Here’s what I’ve been doing at home:

• Swapping out my usual coffee table books with travel photography or botanical sketchbooks — a quiet visual escape.
• Hanging a sheer linen panel over my bedroom window to soften the morning light.
• A cotton tablecloth in soft cream or dusty rose, a few mismatched glasses, and a handful of wildflowers in a little vase.
• Filling a simple bowl with fresh cherries and placing it in the living room — edible decor that reminds you to pause and taste.

And of course, let’s not forget that July is the perfect month for picnics. The warm, sunny afternoons are inviting us to lie under the shadow of a tree and share delicious treats with the dear ones. This month isn’t about “hosting” — it’s about sharing. Sharing and being in the moment. Below, I have selected three delights that can be easily prepared, transported and served at your next picnic. 

A Cherry-Themed Treat for You and Your Guests

This month’s menu is a celebration of cherries — plump, juicy, deeply colored. Affordable, seasonal, and rich in charm. They remind me of childhood summers, of stained fingers, and spontaneous joy.

Here’s a sweet little trio to make any moment feel festive:

🍒 Appetizer: Cherry, Goat Cheese & Thyme Crostini

You need:

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 100g goat cheese
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
• A few sprigs of thyme
• Olive oil, salt, pepper

Toast the baguette slices. Spread each with a little goat cheese, top with cherry halves, a sprinkle of thyme leaves, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s fresh, creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of unexpected.

🍒 Dessert: Rustic Cherry Galette

You need:

• 1 ready-made pie crust (or homemade)
• 400g cherries, pitted and halved
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• A splash of vanilla extract
• 1 egg (for brushing)

Preheat oven to 180°C. Mix cherries with sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla. Place the crust on baking paper, fill the center with cherries, and fold the edges loosely in. Brush crust with beaten egg. Bake for 35–40 minutes. Serve warm, alone or with a spoonful of yogurt or whipped cream.

🍒 Drink: Cherry Sparkle Fizz (non-alcoholic or prosecco-boosted)

You need:

• 1 cup cherries, pitted
• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Sparkling water or prosecco
• Ice

Muddle cherries with honey and lemon, then strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with bubbles and garnish with a cherry on a skewer or a mint leaf. Light, fruity, and sophisticated.

This is What July Feels Like

Let your home be your vacation. Declutter a corner, light a candle even in the heat (I love one with fig or citrus notes), and give yourself permission to be — not to improve, not to impress — just to be.

And if you feel that your space is not quite reflecting the joy of the season — or of who you’re becoming — I’m here. Whether it’s restyling a tired corner, reviving your dining area, or setting the mood for summer evenings, I’d be honored to guide you.

We don’t need more things. We need more intention. And a cherry on top. 🍒

With kisses and hugs,
Maria

🌸 P.S. Want help bringing a summer look into your space without overspending? Let’s chat! Book a free 20-minute discovery call — I’ll help you style your home for a joyful, personal July.