Sunday Prep Vol. 49

Or the week where we buy pool floats and start a summer reading list.

May 03, 2026

Take a photo instead of keeping the thing.

Not everything needs to take up physical space to be worth keeping. Snap a picture, save it to an album on your phone, and let the actual item go.

The 100th cute drawing your kids brought home
The card from someone you love that’s been sitting in a pile for two years
A warranty pamphlet or instruction manual you might need someday
A spread from a magazine you want to reference later

This way, the memory stays but the clutter does not!

Something to do today:

Write down the three most important things you’d like to accomplish this week. Keeping the list short helps you focus on what actually matters.

Something to do this week:

Swap out or refresh something small that gets used daily — a dish sponge, kitchen towel, or water filter. Tiny updates like this quietly improve everyday routines.

Baked Feta Pasta

Page 109 in The Simplified Cookbook

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz) block feta cheese
2 cups cherry tomatoes
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 (16 oz) box bowtie pasta
1/4 cup chopped basil, for topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Place feta cheese in center of baking dish, and place the tomatoes around the feta.
Drizzle olive oil over the entire dish, then add salt and black pepper to taste.
Bake for 30 minutes, then remove and stir.
While feta and tomatoes are baking, boil bowtie pasta according to instructions on the package until al dente. Drain pasta and add to the baking dish, stirring thoroughly to combine.
Top with chopped basil.

Get ahead of your week & make time for the things on your agenda!

Send out birthday cards for upcoming May birthdays.
Wipe down baseboards in one room.
Clear out old downloads or files from your computer desktop.
Clean pollen or dust from window screens.
Leave a small note of encouragement for someone in your home.

👇What else are you putting in your planner this week?

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Liz just bought this linen top and matching shorts for the cutest summer set!

We were just talking about how annoying it is when containers are missing lids. This 40-piece set is only $20 — perfect for a little pre-summer reset!

The book everyone’s talking about right now — add it to your list!

Fun, bright water bottle for hot weather! We always say how much we love that the straw is covered in public places — so smart.

Lindsey just bought this personalized blanket for her new nephew. The quality is perfection and it’s so easy to order on Amazon — such a sweet gift!

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is finally in theaters! Who went to see it this weekend? We need reviews — tell us in the comments!

This tinted sunscreen is kind of magical. It blends seamlessly into your skin with SPF 50. A lot of our team wears it as foundation!

Such a fun promo — $10 stacking bracelets! Perfect for stocking up for yourself and having a few on hand for easy gifts. The cutest options are still available!

Emily posted 27 Decisions I Made Once and Never Made Again on her Substack, and we all felt so seen. If you haven’t read it yet, it’s full of great ideas.

Cutest pool floats that keep your style going, even in the water. Such a fun summer upgrade!

Each week, we're answering your real-life questions — about routines, meal ideas, work-life balance, favorite movies, and everything in between. Got a question? Leave it in the comments!

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Q: “What’s something you’re excited about in this season of life?”
Emily: Oh my gosh, so much. I have big kids now! My oldest is learning to drive and my twins start middle school in the Fall.
Brittany: My oldest is 9 and my littlest 3 are starting kindergarten in the fall, so we are waving goodbye to preschool days and are squarely in our elementary era. This season is full of funny conversations, family inside jokes, movie quotes we all know and reference, trips together that feel a little easier and a lot more fun, and saying yes to more adventures.
Whitney: My kids are 5 and 7 and I genuinely could not love this season more. It’s so fun watching their imaginations and skills grow, and sharing the things I love with them! My husband and I met in high school on swim team (and later coached together) and this summer will be my kids’ first on summer swim team. I can’t wait to be at their meets as a mom!
Dusty: This season feels especially sweet because our family is growing. Our newest grandbaby arrived on April 25. There’s something so grounding about slowing down and soaking in these moments while watching a new generation begin. It’s made me more present and more grateful for time together. Everything feels a little more meaningful right now.
Laura: This summer is a big one for my girls! My oldest is starting high school sports — she amazes me every day and I know she is so ready! My middle is going to be in two theater productions this summer, her favorite place to be. And my youngest is my mini, just loving being seven!
Carly: I have my first solo trip planned for this summer, and I’m really excited to have that time for some self-love and exploration!
Lindsey: I’m really excited for a few weekend trips with friends and family this summer. And honestly, I’m just soaking up this time at home with my husband and our dog. We’re celebrating our first anniversary, which feels really special — such a sweet way to start another season together.
Liz: Our baby GIRL is coming in just a matter of days! I am really looking forward to another shot at the newborn phase with a little more experience under my belt. Everything was so scary and unknown the first time around, it was often hard to “soak up the moments”. But I’m excited for another season of learning and growing.

🩷 Have a question for our team? Leave it in the comments and your Q might be featured next week!

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Whitney is continuing to paint new pieces, which really looks like creating a lot of art to find just the right pattern. It’s a slower process than you might think, and we always love each piece… until we see the final winner and are somehow even more wow-ed.

Carly has been planning summer content and upcoming photo shoots with Emily. It’s a bit of a puzzle working around schedules and launches, but it always comes together in the best way.

Liz is heading into her last week before maternity leave, and we’ve definitely been soaking up every minute with her — and asking her every question we possibly can before she’s out. Have we mentioned how much we’re going to miss her?

Oh! By the way, something fun is coming on Wednesday... 🤭

A Summer of Reading

Print this page and keep it somewhere you’ll see often — tucked in your planner, on your nightstand, or by your favorite reading spot. Use the Currently Reading section to track what you’re enjoying now, and the Want to Read list for books you’re excited to pick up next. Cross them off as you go and let it be a simple, fun way to enjoy your summer reading.