Come Sit By Me: Volume 31

Inside: Welcome to the weekend and our weekly catch-up, Come Sit By Me. I’m spilling the sweet tea on what’s happened this week, what’s inspiring me, and a few things that have caught my eye that I think you’ll love too!

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra charge to you. I only recommend products that I love or would purchase for myself. See my full disclosure here.

Welcome to “Come Sit By Me”! It’s our chance to catch up on the little things I’d share with you this week if we could chat on the porch over coffee (or wine depending on the time of day).

Life Lately in a Nutshell.

Today I’m going to bore you with a few of my European vacation photos, but trust me there were five million more than this!

I just got back from the most magical trip—London and Paris for ten days with my girlfriends of 25 years. It’s still hard to believe we actually made it happen. We packed so much into every day and still couldn’t do everything. I’m on the struggle bus still trying to adjust back to my regular time zone and everyday life.

London was a dream. We saw lots of different parts of London on a walking tour with the cutest English professor, and had an even better overview tour in a black cab with a super fun driver who knew exactly everywhere we should stop to take photos. We did individual site tours of Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and our day trip to Stonehenge, Bath, and Windsor Castle all made me feel like I’d stepped right into a British period drama movie set. We stopped for fuel and cocktails at lots of cozy pubs and charming restaurants, including the Ivy, the Sky Garden Rooftop Bar with a wonderful view of London, and Sketch (yes, it’s as fabulous as the pictures make it look).

Then came Paris—and wow. It was romantic, historic, a little seedy, and beautiful, all at once. We kicked it off with an evening dinner cruise down the Seine River. The next few days were filled with more tours: the Louvre, the top of the Eiffel Tower, the sparkling stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle, the gorgeous Paris Opera House, a little shopping at Galeries Lafayette, and even a Tuk Tuk tour around town. One of my favorite days was a bike tour through the gardens of Versailles, followed by a picnic by the lake and a walk through the magnificent palace that felt like something out of a French fairy tale.

Notre Dame might’ve been the most unexpectedly moving stop. The restoration after the fire has made the inside with all of it’s marble almost glow—and I felt this deep sense of peace walking through it.

Words to Get Through the Week.

Pretty Pictures, Yummy Recipes, and Things I Just Want to Spend Money On.

This master bathroom is elegant, serene, and beautifully timeless. The soft blue walls, marble finishes, and vintage-style chandelier create a spa-like retreat that feels both luxurious and inviting.

If you’re looking for a lovely way to elevate your table, these cloth napkins made from Morris & Co. Leicester fabric are simply stunning.

This no-bake key lime éclair cake is the perfect summertime treat—cool, creamy, and a different take on the classic vanilla with layers of graham crackers, fluffy filling, and a sweet-tart glaze.

This personalized wooden whiskey decanter is such a unique and handsome gift idea. Whether it’s for Father’s Day or just because, it’s a beautiful way to add a touch of style to any bar.

This DIY door makeover idea would add charm and character to any space by turning solid doors into French doors. I love the beautiful, blue color on these and the light they let in:

What have you seen this week that you’re obsessed with? Let all of us in on it in the comments!

Live this weekend to the fullest,💗

Before you go:

As always, I appreciate your visit, comments, and shares here on the blog! I’d love it if you also follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube so you won’t miss any of my inspiration and ideas.