Favorite Things, Home, Life

Things That Make Life Nicer | Summer 2026

Kari

Over the years, a handful of things have become reliable sources of joy. Not because they were trendy or because I felt like I should love them, but because they’ve shown up for me again and again in little ways.

This list doesn’t include the people or pets I love. That’s a category all its own and far too important to rank sandals, detergent, or whatever else makes the cut.

Our window bird feeder (better than any television in the house)

My Birkenstock sandals

Allegra allergy meds

Salt lamps

Rainbow suncatchers

My library (for providing escape in more ways than I can count, mostly through books)

Maldon sea salt (I add a little to my coffee to take away the bitterness)

My favorite pens

Coffee

Edibles: 4:1 CBD/THC (for settling my nervous system and pain relief)

Air conditioning

Our kitchen

Lotion for my feet every single night

Hammocks

My phone (especially for my notes app, music apps, and texting)

On the couch, during golden hour, with my dog on my shoulder, rainbows on my face, and knee-deep in an edible. Is this zen? I think it is.

My favorite cozy blankets – one is on my sofa, the other is on my bed. (I always need a cozy blanket no matter the season)

Leggings

Journals

Zum patchouli laundry detergent (laundry feels more like a mood than a chore)

My hydroflask water bottles

Migraine preventative medicine (support that makes normal days possible)

Music, always. Here are my current favorite playlists:

Peaceful Retreat (Spotify)

Golden Hour (Spotify) (Apple)

Our family and living rooms (especially during golden hour – where we land at the end of the day)

Golden hour, for me, didn’t start as something I noticed. It arrived around 2020, when life slowed down and I spent more time inside looking out. That was when I began doing soul homework, and something in me started learning how to pay attention differently. Not just to what was happening, but to what was always happening in the background.

I began shifting our furniture around to match the seasons in 2020. I used to just move it because I wasn’t happy with how our home looked. Now I move with intention. Every spring, I turn the couch toward the back of our home so golden hour can be fully appreciated, drunk in. Komorebi is a word I learned over the last six years—Japanese for sunlight filtering through leaves and branches. I take that in on sunny days. Maybe since paying attention to golden hour, we get more of them.

Maybe it’s all in my head, or maybe it’s not. ☀️

I might make a post like this every season, or maybe every year as I get older. It would be fun to look back and see what changes and what sticks around. I’m also curious what things make your life a little nicer. I’d love to hear about them in the comments.

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47 thoughts on “Things That Make Life Nicer | Summer 2026”

  4. Would love to see a post like this every season! I tried to make a list like this when I realized that I was starting to dread the coming of summer, but I made it too hard. Should have realized that it’s all the small things that matter most. Yes to Birks and golden hour and libraries and cozy blankets and good pens. I think I should maybe try edibles. I’ve just not known where to start. (I tried some gummies for sleeping a while back, and it was not good. Now I’m hesitant.) And AC. Don’t know how I could tolerate this season without it. (We’re supposed to be mid-90’s today. UGH.) Thanks for helping me see the sunny side of my least-favorite season.

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    1. I’ll definitely try to make one for each season.

      I typically dread summer, but this summer feels a little lighter knowing Ella has graduated and doesn’t have to go back to that school in the fall. Because of that, she feels lighter too, and we do in return. It really shifted our entire home in a good way. It really is the small things, isn’t it?

      I didn’t know where to start with edibles either. A friend of mine, who smokes regularly, took me to a dispensary last year and helped me sort through some THC/CBD options…I never would have found it on my own. It’s a pill edible, not a gummy, which feels different in a good way. Sometimes the gummy ones can give me migraines, so I never really loved those. The CBD component is what really helps with pain and relaxation. It’s called Avexia 4:1 Relief, if you want to see if they have it near you.

      It was humid and hot last week, and now it’s back in the 70s and cool — that’s the weather I love. I really hate that 90s heat. Manifesting cool weather your way… and an edible that works for you. 😘🌈💜

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      1. Thank you so much for the specific recommendations. Super-helpful. Temps in the 70s are my favorite this time of year, too. That’s what summer was when I was growing up in Seattle. We are (thankfully) back to that this week. 

        And I’m so glad that school is no longer casting a shadow over your summer. That feels like a pretty big thing, tbh. As a former educator, it makes me sad. But I also know how much I feel lighter now that I don’t have to go back to school in the fall, too. (Did I say that out loud? I think I did!) You’re giving me lots of food for thought about what makes us feel the way we do at different times of the year….

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  5. Birkenstocks are the best. I had an orange pair for a while. I loved them, though they did dye the feet when they got wet.

    I think these are wonderful posts. It’s nice seeing what other people value and attend to, and it reminds me to do more valuing and attending.

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  6. Love this, Kari. There are so many little things that just make life so much nicer, aren’t there! Right now the greens are all beautiful in the garden and it makes me so happy to go out and cut some for salads and smoothies. Such a simple thing but such a big pleasure.

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  7. I’m with you on many of those, including the foot lotioning. 🙂 2020 brought me new appreciation for cut flowers in vases and my screened-in porch. And also all the online library resources — from e-books to foreign language learning tools. Library cards are the best freebies ever.

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    1. There were actually a lot of good things that came out of 2020. And you’re so right — library cards might be one of the best freebies ever. I love my library so much.

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  9. Kari, there are so many things you listed here that I too feel make life nicer!

    Air conditioning: especially this time of year. I couldn’t sleep without it.

    Coffee: even though I only drink 2 cups a day – one in the morning, one mid-afternoon as a pick-me-up. I LOVE me some coffee. And I drink it black.

    And you mentioned Zum! I use the Zum frankincense/myrrh body spray. I love there products.

    Me too, Golden Hour is my favorite time of the day. My father felt that way too.

    Edibles: 4:1 CBD/THC: Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee too! In fact, I use various brands. I only use them at night because they really seem to relax me and help me sleep. Plus, I love the BUZZ – LOL!

    Fun and fabulous post, my friend.

    I love that photo of you, your doggie, and the rainbow.

    Have a terrific week, my friend! X

    P.S. We finally got some relief from the nasty heat. Today and tomorrow it’s only 75 degrees. VERY happy!

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    1. I love that we share so many of these things, my friend!

      I knew you’d have AC on your list, my cold-weather loving friend.

      I drink it two times a day as well — same exact times!

      I love that you, your father, and I all love golden hour. I’ll think of you two now at that time. I also think of my dad, who loved his sunsets.

      I love the buzz too! 🤣💜

      I hope you have a terrific week too, my friend. I have the windows open next to me and I’m listening to the birds sing. It’s glorious. 💜🐦

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  10. I’m with you on the cozy blankets. Tara likes to strip the bed of everything but sheets in the summer, but no…I need more than that. I like to get lost in there!

    Also, I have been on the hunt for a good golden hour playlist, so thanks for the inspiration. Anything that includes Goose is going to be right up my alley.

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    1. I understand her concept, but I need a fan to sleep, so I’d get very chilly. “Get lost in there” made me laugh so hard.

      I’m glad I could inspire you. I love that you know Goose — that made my day.

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  11. This is lovely, Kari! It’s such a good idea to pay tribute to the small things that make our lives better. For me, it’s definitely the air conditioner. I don’t do well in the heat, and AC saves me.

    I love the photo of you with the rainbow! How gorgeous!

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    1. Yes, it is! I don’t do well in heat either, Michelle. Sometimes I wonder how we ever did it when we were younger — I was always outside as a kid.

      I love it too, my friend. My happy place. 🌈

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  13. I like how you change the furniture around per season. I never liked when couches pushed up against the windows blocking half the view. And this list of happy, has made me feel better. Simple little things. Mmmm.

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  14. Kari. Thank you again for a lovely post.
    I felt like a hug honestly.
    I have never tried an edible… I have tried the cbd +thc drink , the one that comes in a can like a soda, and it made me VERY tired.

    the golden hour playlist is the best. Perfect for grading/reading/ sitting/thinking.

    little things… laundry that is done. Quiet time in the morning. Bare feet on grass. A nice, deep inhale+exhale. Tea.

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    1. Daria — I absolutely love that this post felt like a hug. You made my week by saying this. 😘

      I’ve never tried the drinks! I don’t drink alcohol because it usually gives me a headache, but now I’m curious whether this would too.

      I love that you listen to my playlists. I always keep you in mind when I make them.

      Little things are everything. 💜

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  15. These are some fabulous favorites and we share many of them–I have seen your window bird feeder but do you also have a window hummingbird feeder? I LOVE ours so much. I keep them on different windows, of course but it’s fun to watch the hummingbirds flit in and out.

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    1. OMG, I didn’t know there was such a thing! I’m going to look into that right now — my mom gets hummingbirds all the time. I know she would love that. Thank you so much for telling me!

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  16. “Dog on my shoulder, rainbows in my face” sounds like the beginning to a really fabulous summer anthem.

    Hammocks give me anxiety, but yours is very pretty and I’m glad it brings you joy. I am right there with you on air conditioning, cozy blankets, and leggings!

    I am also loving your description of Golden Hour and how you’ve shifted your home to allow it to make more of an impact on your life. Very cool.

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    1. Omg, it does! That’s so funny.

      I know exactly which hammocks you’re talking about. Those kinds give me anxiety too. The hammocks we have don’t feel like they’re going to dump you out when you get into them. Ours are Brazilian hammocks, so they kind of mold to your body and feel more secure. The traditional ones always look like torture devices to me. 🤣

      I love that we love a lot of the same things. 💜

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  17. Ooh, so many of your summer faves are mine, too! Favorite pens (I have many for my journaling and art journaling), coffee (make mine an iced coffee in the summer), AC (though it’s been so nice to have it turned off and the windows open on these cooler days), lotion on my feet every night (I actually do this in the morning, too), cozy blankets year-round, leggings, journals, Zum patchouli (I need to try the laundry detergent!), music, the Golden Hour. Thanks for the reminder about the gummies, lol. I haven’t taken one in over a month. Kind of forgot about them. So just popped one, because…why not? I’m at home today and not driving anywhere. Mine are 5:1 CBD/THC. Would you like me to bring you one on Sat for you to try? :-) Now I just need to order some window cling suncatchers. The mandala ones you linked to are sold out. Ugh, might have to order from Amazon.

    Two more summer things that I would add to my list…bare feet and grilling season.

    xoxo

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    1. I love comments like these!! (Rubs hands together…)

      This is why we are friends. I swear we are related. I love when people get excited about pens. I love my pens so much — I have certain pens for journaling and certain pens for my desk!

      I’m in love with the windows-open weather we’ve been having! But when it gets humid, I’m so grateful for A/C.

      That Zum patchouli laundry scent was out of stock for almost a year! It just came back in stock and I bought it so fast. I hope it never goes out of stock again.

      5:1!! YES, BRING IT TO MOMMA. 🤣🤣

      By the way, Verdant Sol typically has those rainbow suncatchers — or at least they used to. I would check there before buying them online so you don’t have to pay shipping. And they last forever. I haven’t had to buy one in years and mine still make those beautiful rainbows.

      Those are two wonderful things to add to the list. I love this time of year. I can’t wait to see you on Saturday! 😘

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      1. I am such a pen nerd. I will have to show you my faves when you’re here, lol. I also have a notebook/journal obsession. Could be worse…I could have a diamond or Louis Vitton obsession, ha ha ha.

        Where did you find the Zum patchouli laundry detergent? Wonder if Woodmans has it?

        I’ll definitely bring Momma a little prezzie on Sat. ;-)

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  18. We share many common things we love. What jumped out for me was coffee (for me – 80% organic, Swiss-water processed decaffeinated with 20% caff. of my favorite flavor)What’s life without coffee? (and music?) Someday I will get my butt on Spotify!

    Favorite pens … I need my Pentel R.S.V.P. Medium – what’s yours?

    And I love the furniture moving – such a great idea.

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    1. Oh, I love that we do! That sounds like really good coffee!

      I love Spotify more than Apple Music. My kids love Apple Music. I feel like I can find more music on Spotify for some reason.

      I looked your pens up because mine are also Pentel! Mine are Pentel EnerGel Kuro Liquid Gel.

      I love that too. I also recently learned that moving furniture around in the house is supposed to be good for the energy of the space. I had never heard that before, but I think it’s such an interesting idea.

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      1. Oooh – another Pentel pen to look into! The balance of a good pen if we write a lot is very important.

        Sometimes furniture placement is so dictated by amount of space, but also windows. I am very fortunate to have a lot of windows, but they do determine a lot. I’m playing with some things in my mind about switching things up. Hmmmm ….

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  19. Simple pleasures are always the best things. I’ve never thought to add salt to my coffee. Should I?

    Hmmm….I’m intrigued by the Zum laundry detergent. I might have to take a whiff the next time I’m at Target!

    I can’t live without daily music, texting my people, or my annoying dogs.

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    1. Aren’t they the best? I learned that tip on TikTok last year from a barista. He adds it to his coffee grounds, but I just add it directly to my coffee cup. Try it and see if you notice a difference.

      It’s so good that it sold out for months. People love-bombed the company and they finally got more in stock. I think you can only find it online?

      I can’t live without those things either, my friend! 💜

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  20. Lovely.

    Leggings–necessary! Migraine preventative–I’m so, so grateful to be on Qulipta instead of megadoses of Topamax. Books, books, books–buying them all in hardback is my one indulgence.

    I only drink decaf coffee now–doctor’s orders–but it’s perfectly fine for me. I adore my coffee and how it helps me ease into my mornings. Preparing the machine the night before and just pressing the button in the morning is a very satisfying ritual.

    Reading you has made me even more cognizant of the many small, wonderful things in my life. Thank you.

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    1. I’ve heard of Qulipta before. I’m so glad it helps you. I’m on topiramate and had to lower my dosage a few years ago, but for now I’ve found my sweet spot.

      Coffee helps me ease into my morning too. Thank goodness for coffee.

      Oh my goodness, this made me so happy. I’m so glad, Nance. Thank you for this lovely compliment.

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