10 Essentials for Summer: Kitchen Edition

The crazed frenzy of spring cleaning is, for me, not something that happens just once a year. Instead, I’m almost constantly reimagining the spaces in our home. What can we donate, repurpose or sell? How can we organize this? Should we rearrange the furniture? How can we spruce up this room? I am always looking at our home through a lens of opportunity. How can I make this space even better than it already is?

So, in the spirit of falling in love with your home all over again this summer, I’ve rounded up my top 10 must-have items to spruce up every room in your house, all under $50. Today, let’s talk about the kitchen!

Life Without Plastic Organic Cotton Mesh Produce Bag. I don’t know about you, but every single time that we come home from the grocery store, we’re inundated with heaps of plastic bags. And I know they’re bad. They’re made using non-renewable sources, take huge amounts of energy to manufacture and transport across the country, they don’t break down in landfill sites, they’re difficult to recycle, and they are one the leading contributors to the global litter problem. So, eliminate them from your day-to-day routine with these food-safe produce bags!
Round Starbust Placemats. Gone are the days of all-white homes, and I could NOT be more excited about the bold jewel tones that saturate Target’s authentically-inspired, eclectic Opalhouse collection. Need to dip your toes into the color trend before diving in? These placemats are the perfect place to start.
Tiffin Tiered Storage Bowl Set. Perfect for a breezy summer picnic or on-the-go office meals, these stackable tin bowls are the ideal portable companion. And who can resist a great geo print these days?
Watercolor Cactus Tea Towel. One of my favorite ways to add some personality into my kitchen is with some seasonal tea towels. It’s an easy pop of color – they’re just draped over the handle of my oven door – but it draws the eye in and brightens up the space. And who doesn’t love a good succulent print?
Lara Hook Shelf. Clutter gives me very real anxiety, and no matter how hard I try, it seems that there is always just an accumulation of crap on my countertops. And that’s why I love this shelf! It gives me a little extra space off the counter to store and display some of my favorite kitchen goods!

How to Eat a Peach: Menus, Stories and Places. My whole life, I’ve wanted to write a cookbook. Not just a book of recipes, though. I dreamed of writing a book that told a story – my story – tied together with recipes that are reflective of specific moments along my journey. And Diana Henry beat me to the punch and did just that. The title of the book refers to how Italians end a meal in the summer when it’s too hot to cook. The hostess just puts a bowl of peaches on the table and offers glasses of chilled moscato, and guests then slice their peach into the glass, before eating the slices and drinking the wine.
Stemless Wine Glasses. I’m clumsy. There’s no polite way to put it. So, to protect the beautiful set of stemmed wine glasses we received for our wedding (thanks Colleen and Emily!), I tend to opt for a stemless version when the occasion calls for a whole day of chilled rosé. You know, just to be safe.
Hanging Mason Jar Planter. We were gifted this for our wedding (thanks Meg!) and I love it! Like I said, countertop clutter makes my palms sweat, but this hanging planter allows me to grow an assortment of herbs inside without taking up any unnecessary space!
Flower Pot Bread Making Kit. Okay, so this isn’t exactly seasonal decor, but why not serve some of your summertime guests flower pot bread with lavender butter? The recipe comes straight from Terrain’s garden cafe,
French Sapphire Bowl. Rounding out the list are these stoneware bowls with vibrant hues of blue and orange! Our dinnerware collection is entirely white, so I took the opportunity to add some color and character to our cabinet!