ATP June Favorites

June was an incredible month for interior design, fashion, and achieving a better work-life balance! It started with Design Days at the beginning of the month, followed by a trip up North that inspired me with the concept of slow living and the joy of appreciating the moment. Summer awakens people from their winter blues, bringing renewed energy. Now that it’s the first week of July, I felt it was the perfect time to share my must-haves from June and what I’m continuing into July!

DIY Pinboards and Mood Boards

I've always loved the idea of having an inspiration board that you can physically put together and place somewhere you can look at whenever you need to reevaluate your goals, ideas, and whatever you are currently loving. I saw so many pin boards and collages during Design Days that it made me want to create one for my office space. I have white peg boards from IKEA that I've had since College, but I wanted to utilize what I already have and make my own. I used cutouts from magazines, furniture postcards, and other items that inspired me. It's so much fun to look at, but I'm already looking forward to refreshing it for July!

Fresh Flowers

I love having fresh flowers in my space, especially during the summer months. They add a vibrant touch to my surroundings and are always a hit with guests. Fresh flowers also make for an excellent host gift when I'm visiting someone. I find buying flowers and creating arrangements to be a relaxing activity. It’s a bonus if the flowers come from my own garden! I often see friends picking up flowers from the farmer's stand or Trader Joe's, and it makes me want to keep fresh flowers around more often. In July, I plan to start giving more people flowers to brighten their spaces. It always brings a smile to someone's face!

Strawberry Matcha 

I've been on a Strawberry Matcha kick throughout June, and it shows no signs of slowing down! I first tried a strawberry matcha at Beatrix, and it was the best thing I've ever had. It was refreshing, light, and the perfect midday pick-me-up. Since I usually make my matcha at home, I was determined to recreate that delicious drink. All I needed to do was blend strawberries with my vanilla almond milk and then mix it into my matcha. It turned out so good! While the final color may not be the prettiest after mixing, the initial combination looks incredible, and the taste is just as amazing.

Snack Plates

While we're on the topic of food, I wanted to share my current obsession: snack plates. It’s similar to the trend of “girl dinner,” but I usually choose a snack plate for breakfast or lunch. I go through phases where I crave eggs in the morning, but it really depends on how they are prepared. I think I'm over scrambled eggs, but I love a hard-boiled egg paired with cheese or pesto. Anything you might find on a charcuterie board is something I’d enjoy with a hard-boiled egg.

Small Town Inspiration 

I recently went up North to Mackinac Island. It was the most stunning weekend I've ever had. I loved every second of it, and it was the best time I've had. Everyone was incredibly kind, and the island was lovely. I found so much inspiration for interior design, and I cannot wait to share more. The fresh air, the biking around the island, and the homes were all breathtaking. There was a lot to do, but it was manageable for a weekend getaway. I also stopped in Traverse City and Leland, which were amazing. The fishing town was easily one of the trip's highlights. And it was a great way to break up the drive.