May 2026

Minimal Monthly

Hello, hello!

May felt like the first real exhale of the year. The weather finally turned and I had some extra breathing room what with hardly any contract work all month. Wound up spending more time outside cleaning the terraces and weeding, rather than stressing about any indoor to-dos.

The universe also gave me a nudge: my ex visited, sat down in one of my patio chairs and it literally snapped clean in half. Mortifying. The next day I sat in the other one and it snapped, too 😂. Turns out 12 years of rust doesn't discriminate. Nobody got hurt, but the message was clear: honey, it's time for some new outdoor seating.

One small refresh led to another and I wound up ordering two new loungers with footrests, replacing some broken plant containers and trying out a newfangled patio paver cleaning solution while I was at it. Still have a big round of power washing ahead of me, but overall the outdoor space feels alive and well again. (Check out my balcony and patio cleaning tips, btw!)

Something about getting away from all the screens and working with my hands must have flipped a switch, too, because this month I found myself picking up a sketchbook and paintbrush again for the first time in ages. More on that in the links below. 🎨

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Mixed Bag 'o Links

Grab yourself a coffee. Here's the assortment of links I've been squirreling away over the past few weeks. 🐿️

Big news for anyone who struggles to keep track of their closet: Google Photos is rolling out an AI-powered wardrobe feature this summer. It automatically catalogues the clothing from your photo library and lets you filter by category, so you can see what you own. You can even build moodboards and mix and match outfits, which might just save you from buying that third pair of black trousers.
I love seeing how architecture adapts to local life, and this apartment in Malaysia is a great example. These older flats are designed to echo the layout of a traditional village house, which gives the space a super nice flow. This one was furnished with loads of thrifted finds.
Consider this your monthly nudge: go throw out your kitchen sponge. This post is a slightly horrifying look at just how grimy they get, and why swapping them regularly matters way more than you'd think.
For the architecture lovers, this Chicago loft is a real stunner. The way they've worked with all that raw industrial space to create a proper home is amazing.
If you're in the mood to daydream, take a look at this hilltop retreat in upstate New York. At $1.2M and about two hours from the city, it's a striking bit of architecture, with curved wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, a two-story stone chimney, and wood and stone sourced right from the property. The chef's kitchen even has a pizza oven built into the bluestone fireplace. At that (relatively!) low price, it probably needs a lot of work that's not visible in the photos, but it's a lovely place to imagine retreating to nonetheless.
I stopped buying bottled laundry detergent when I discovered detergent sheets, and shopping is easier without the heavy schlepping! Good Housekeeping rounded up seven other everyday household items that are easy to replace.
A gentle reminder to put the phone down: this little carousel is a thoughtful nudge toward being a bit more present, which feels especially relevant if you, like me, are trying to be more intentional about screen time.
Speaking of long-term habits, artist Amanda Close has been journalling for 42 years. This video is a real treat and not only did I wind up binge watching everything on her channel, but she also got me back into drawing and painting again this past month and I've been loving it!
For the computer tinkerers, here's an X post rounding up 50 hidden websites, including a slew of handy software, AI and dev tools. A great one to bookmark and dig through when you have a spare moment.
It's that time of year again: BBQ season. And that also means scrubbing the grill. USA Today has you covered with some good cleaning tips to keep it spic 'n span.
And finally, a nudge from the world of creative work: Jade Beason over on IG says to stop copying other people's social media posts and I wholeheartedly agree with her. A short, sharp reminder that finding your own voice beats chasing someone else's.