Monthly Recap – May 2026

Good morning! I can’t believe it’s already June – or that we should be moving in just over a month! Today I’m sharing a bit of what we’ve been up to over the past month or so. As is the case for most people, May was a busy one!

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Home Projects & Updates

I’ve been ordering things for the new house like crazy. Completely refurnishing a new house and coordinating delivery times is not for the faint of heart! My spreadsheets logging everything are pretty crazy right now! I ordered these counter stools for the carriage house and think they’ll be perfect. I like that they have a back but visually don’t take up much space since it’s a pretty small kitchen they’ll be going into.

A few weeks back when I was at a meeting with the landscaper, we could see a momma turtle digging to lay her eggs! We stayed quite a ways away (these are all on zoom) so couldn’t tell if she actually laid any or not, but it was fun to see!

Most of the cabinet doors in the kitchen were installed last week! I’m so happy I opted to add the inset bevel to the shaker doors. I think it adds a nice touch! You can see the design plans for this space here.

The built-ins in Kurtis’ office are really making the room look much more complete! They’re a bit dusty in this pic so it will be fun to see them all finished, and the hardware installed – hopefully yet this week! You can see the design plans for this room here.

They also started hanging light fixtures which was a total game changer. The electrician has been very patient with me! This is in our future laundry room.

My office looks so much further along now too with the beaded light fixture! This is, and the Moravian star chandelier above, are the only ones I’m reusing in the entire house. I just love this one so much! With 12′ ceilings on the main floor, we need some pretty substantial fixtures to make sure the scale was appropriate.

You can see even more house progress in this post if you missed it! It should be a really exciting week!

Countertops were templated around the time we left on vacation, and I believe they may potentially be installed sometime this week! That will also help set in motion the wheels on plumbing, final painting, etc. We’re hopefully only about five weeks away from completion!

Around Town & For Fun

I covered the first few days in May at the end of my April Recap, with the way the days fell on the weekend.

Kurtis was in Omaha for a quick work trip over Cinco de Mayo, so I went out to Amigos with some girlfriends. It was a fun night!

OUTFIT SOURCES: Sweater Tank | Wide Leg Jeans | Earrings | Sandals

Marissa was hosting a little get together too, so we swung by for a fresh squeezed margarita! She’s our resident Martha Stewart and even her margarita bar was cute.

Our friend Brittany was hosting a book tour for the launch of The Joy Exchange at the bookstore in Seaside. A bunch of us went down to support them and then grabbed lunch at Great Southern Cafe. It was so misty and humid outside, but otherwise a really great day!

The cats have been loving the warmer days, and basically spend the evenings out on the screened-in porch. Unless Henley can convince me to let her roam around the yard for a minute.

Mid-May, we headed out to Italy! I’ll share a full post (hopefully yet this week) but suffice it to say, it was amazing. Here was a pic I took on our hike down to the beach one day on Capri. Everything there looks fake – it’s all just so beautiful!

Our hotel on Capri (Hotel La Palma) may be one of our favorites to date!

And Positano was every bit as magical as we remembered it! This view gets me every time!

We created so many wonderful memories, and are so happy we finally got to take this bucket list trip!

OUTFIT DETAILS: Striped Dress | Sandals

We stayed at Le Sireneuse, a dream of mine since I first laid eyes on it 15+ years ago, and it was magical! The views are just unreal every single direction you look. This was my view our final afternoon, sipping our final Aperol spritzes out by the pool.

Again, I’ll shore more in a dedicated post. But I think this was our first European trip we’ve taken where we spent time actually relaxing rather than 100% focused on seeing every single thing we could possibly fit into our trip. It was heavenly!

Jet lag is always a fun battle, with 3am wakeups for about a week. Thankfully I finally feel like my sleep is finally back on track!

We’ve had friend dinners, a surprise birthday party for our little buddy Alma (the littlest one below), and friends visiting frequently!

For Memorial Day weekend, Rachel rented a pontoon for us on Saturday to go to Crab Island near Destin. We actually picked up our pontoon in Santa Rosa Beach (much closer to where we all live) and drove the distance by water which was fun, rather than sitting in traffic!

But holy cow. Crab Island is an experience. Within 5 minutes of arriving, a little Chik-Fil-A boat came up to us selling hot and fresh sandwiches. There were constant vendors, and boats everywhere. Growing up on a boat, I became my father’s daughter judging all the bad drivers and making sure none of us got run over by all the people that had no idea what they were doing. But it was a really fun day and great to be out on the water! This is just a fraction of the people out there for the holiday weekend.

Despite the name, Crab Island is actually just a sandbar where people tie up and float and hang out. We got there a bit late so we could just barely touch bottom a few feet from our boat. But most people are in waist deep water the whole time. Our pontoon had a waterslide and a mat, so we basically all just took orders from these two cute girls telling us what they wanted to do next 😉 It was a great kick-off to summer! We’d definitely go back – just maybe not on a holiday weekend.

Thankfully we got our boat day in on Saturday because it then rained for nearly a week straight. It was much needed but we all go a bit stir crazy with that length of rain! It’s so unusual!

With the weather, I also started packing a little bit. I got two whole small boxes complete – impressive, I know. Despite selling fully furnished, there’s still a fair amount of personal belongings we need to pack up and I want to make it a quick and painless (as much as possible) process. While emptying a cabinet upstairs, I realized I had hid the cat toys for showings. Now that they’re 18, they haven’t really been interested in their toy bin for awhile – just a toy here and there every once in awhile. Henley saw me pull the basket, sprinted over, and just buried her face in it. I had to call Kurtis up because she was basically nuzzling every single toy like they were long-lost friends. We couldn’t stop laughing. I actually felt awful that I had forgotten about it, but usually it would sit untouched in their room. She started whipping out toys left and right. An hour later she was totally over it (and really hasn’t touched them since), but apparently she’s happy they’re back!

If you’re looking to up your fiber intake like we are, I’ve really been loving these fiber gummies! Don’t you love how Henley decided to pose in the background. She basically thinks everything is a treat for her.

This past weekend I looked out my office window and saw this egret running up to this deer and as soon as he’d look, the egret would run the other way. He did it like 5 or 6 times. So funny! The deer was like “what is happening??”. I’m really going to miss this pond view out my office window!

We had a few date nights, and love the ones when we can just hop on the golf cart to dinner! Here’s a recent outfit.

SOURCES: Striped Top | Cropped Jeans | Raffia Ballet Flats | Bead Necklace

Henley demanding more time outside. She’s really been loving it! Can you believe this is our SEVENTH season with these outdoor swivel chairs?! We haven’t pressure washed the cushions yet this year, but they’re still holding up remarkable well considering they’ve survived in both Omaha and Florida!

SOURCES: Outdoor Swivel Chairs | Throw Pillows old from Walmart

The summer crowd has definitely hit 30A, so we had to park quite a ways out for church on Sunday in Rosemary Beach. But it gave me a chance to house stalk a little. I really like the shutters on this porch if we decide we need more coverage at some point on our future back porch!

We ended the weekend and month with a sushi date at Aja. The bartender mentioned that she couldn’t remember which months had 31 days so Kurtis was trying to teach her some sayings. Meanwhile I remembered 5/31 was the 24th anniversary of the day we met! So she poured us some champagne which was really sweet.

Kurtis heads to Omaha today for most of the week for a big work event. I’m going to try and use the time to wrap up last-minute orders for the house and to get some more boxes packed. It’s hard to believe we’re just over a month away from moving! Hopefully!

Recent Buys & Sales

Following are some sales from the weekend that have carried over and are still going strong!

• AMAZON has a number of daily deals sitewide. You can shop their site here.
• AMERICAN EAGLE is offering 30-50% off shorts and up to 50% off jeans. You can shop their site here.
• ANN TAYLOR is offering 25% off your purchase and 30% off dresses, jackets, and shoes. You can shop their site here.
• ANTHROPOLOGIE has added a number of new sale styles. You can shop their site here.
• ARHAUS is offering up to 50% off everything. You can shop their site here.
• ATHOME has 25-50% off select styles during their Summer Clearance Sale. You can shop their site here.
• BALLARD DESIGNS is offering 25% off all outdoor, up to 25% off indoor furniture and up to 25% off and free shipping on bedding and bath. You can shop their site here.
• BODEN is offering 15% off new womenswear with code EY7H. You can shop their site here.
• CAMP SNAP CAMERAS is offering an additional 7% off their viral cameras with code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET. You can shop their site here.
• CHICO’S is offering 40% off your entire purchase and free shipping. You can shop their site here.
• COCO & EVE is offering 15% off with my code SARAHST15. You can shop their site here.
• CRATE & BARREL is offering up to 30% off outdoor furniture and free shipping on 1000s of items. You can shop their site here.
• CUMULUS is offering up to 25% off their cold-brew machine. We just got one and are excited to use it more regularly! You can shop their site here.
• CURRENTBODY is offering 10% off your purchase with code CBSAST. You can shop their site here.
• FAIR HARBOR has a number of new styles in their sale section. Kurtis is loving their swim shorts and terry tops for the beach! You can shop their site here.
• FRANK & EILEEN has 100s of new items in their sale section, with markdowns up to 70% off. You can shop their site here.
• FRONTGATE is offering up to 40% off everything and outdoor furniture sets ship free. You can shop their site here.
• GAP is offering 25-50% off vacation looks. You can shop their sale here.
• GEOMETRY is offering 15% off your purchase with my code VIRGINIASTREET. We love their quick-dry dish towels! You can shop their site here.
• GRANDIN ROAD is offering up to 70% off clearance items. You can shop their site here.
• HELIX is offering 20% off sitewide during their Summer Savings Event! I just ordered this organic mattress to try for the new house. You can shop their site here.
• J CREW is offering 20% off $200+, including new styles with code ADDTOCART! They also have up to 50% off tops, dresses and more! You can shop their site here.
• J CREW FACTORY is offering 50-60% off sunny-day styles. You can shop their sale here.
• J MCLAUGHLIN has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• KOZAKH is offering 20% off your purchase with code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET20. You can shop their site here.
• LANDS’ END is offering up to 60% off sitewide + and extra 70% off sale and clearance with code CARDGAMES. You can shop their site here.
• LEFT ON FRIDAY has several styles (including popular active swimwear) marked up to 30% off. You can shop their site here.
• LINEAGE PROVISIONS is offering 15% off your purchase with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET15. We’re legit obsessed with their clean grass-fed beef sticks and grass-fed air-dried steaks (beef jerky essentially). You can shop their site here.
• LOFT is offering 40% off your full-priced purchases and an additional 60% off sale styles. You can shop their sale here.
• LULULEMON has a bunch of new sale finds in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• M. GEMI is offering 15% off your purchase with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET15. I have and love these driving shoes and this bag. You can shop their site here.
• MARK & GRAHAM is offering up to 50% off select styles and free shipping on $150+ with code SHIPFREE. You can shop their site here.
• MARSHALLS has tons of markdowns and is offering free shipping on orders of $89+ with code SHIP89. You can shop their site here.
• MCGEE & CO. is offering free shipping sitewide on orders of $3,000+ and has a number of new items in their clearance section. You can shop their site here.
• NORDSTROM is hosting their Half Yearly Sale with items marked up to 50% off. You can shop their site here.
• NORDSTROM RACK is offering up to 75% off new clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• OLD NAVY is offering an extra 40% off when you spend $75+. You can shop their sale here.
• POTTERY BARN is offering up to 60% off furniture, decor and more and up to 50% off outdoor styles, and free shipping on 1000s of items sitewide. You can shop their sale here.
• REJUVENATION is offering up to 50% off outdoor and free shipping on bedding,decor, and more. You can shop their site here.
• RUGGABLE is offering 15% off your purchase with code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET15. You can shop their site here.
• RUGSUSA is offering 20% off outdoor rugs. You can shop their site here.
• SAKARA is offering 25% off your first order. We used to order their meal delivery back in Omaha for quite awhile! But I recently just ordered these fiber gummies to try and get some more fiber intake! You can shop their site here.
• SALTYFACE is offering 10% off your purchase with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET10. You can shop their site here.
• SERENA & LILY is hosting their Summer White Sale with up to 30% off and free shipping on bedding and bath. You can shop their sale here.
• SHOPBOP is offering an additional 25% off sales styles with code EXTRA25. You can shop their site here.
• SPANX is offering up to 30% off select styles. You can shop their site here.
• SPARTINA 449 has a number of new items in their sale section! You can shop their site here.
• SPOONFLOWER is offering 30% off wallpaper, 25% off fabric, and up to 25% off decor. You can shop their site here.
• TALBOTS is offering 30% off your entire purchase! You can shop their site here.
• TARGET has a number of home deals like up to 40% off bedding, up to 50% off rugs, up to 40% off indoor furniture, and more. You can shop their site here.
• TJ MAXX has markdowns up to 75% off and is offering free shipping on orders $89+ with code SHIP89! You can shop their site here.
• TORY BURCH has a number of new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• TUCKERNUCK has a number of cute new items in their sale section. You can shop their site here.
• TWOPAGES is offering 18% off sitewide with code MID. We’re considering some of their automated shades for our new house! You can shop their site here.
• U BEAUTY is offering 20% off most items sitewide with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET20. You can shop their site here.
• VINEYARD VINES is offering up to 65% off sale styles. You can shop their site here.
• VISUAL COMFORT has a number of new items in their sale section. This is where we purchased almost all of the lighting for our new home! You can shop their site here.
• VIVRELLE is offering your first month free of borrowing designer bags and jewelry with my code LIFEONVIRGINIASTREET (requires 3 month membership, so you only pay for 2 months). Their selection of designer bags and jewelry you can borrow is stunning! All the details on how it works can be found here. You can shop their site here.
• WAYFAIR is offering up to 60% off during their Memorial Day Weekend sale. You can shop their site here.
• WEST ELM is offering up to 50% off select sale and clearance. You can shop their site here.
• WILLIAMS SONOMA is offering up to 75% off in their sale & clearance section. You can shop their site here.
• WILLIAMS SONOMA HOME has a number of new items in their sale section, and an additional 20% off clearance styles. You can shop their site here.
• ZIIP is offering 10% off your purchase with my code SARAHXZIIP. You can shop their site here.

I hope you all have a great week!

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