For the Birds Favorites
Every collection on this page comes from the way we live now—from having friends over and weekend getaways to golf days and everyday life.
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How I Choose What to Share
Every product here has earned its place in one of three ways:
✓ I use it regularly and it makes my life easier
✓ It solved a specific problem beautifully
✓ It's the kind of piece I'd recommend to a friend without hesitation
Shop by Collection
Find favorite things by category — from current blog features to simple pieces for outdoor living, entertaining, and everyday inspiration.
• Escape the Heat Weekend Picks
• Stock-Up Staples
• Patio Favorites
For the Table
Pretty, practical pieces for brunches, patio dinners, casual gatherings, and the everyday table — These are the pieces I reach for when I want the table to feel pulled together without feeling too formal.
Dinnerware Set
A simple, neutral dinnerware set that works for brunch, patio dinners, and everyday meals — pretty enough for company, easy enough for real life.
Classic Wine Glasses
A classic set of wine glasses that works for dinner with friends, patio evenings, or just making an ordinary night feel a little nicer.
Linen Napkins
A soft, simple layer that adds just enough texture to make the table feel intentional without trying too hard.
Wood Candle Holders
A simple way to add height, warmth, and a little glow to the table without making it feel overdone.
Napkin Rings
A small detail that makes the table feel finished without making it feel formal.
Warm Gold Flatware
A pretty champagne-toned flatware set that makes even a simple table feel a little more pulled together.
The secret to a beautiful outdoor space isn't complicated—it's just a few pieces that work together effortlessly.
These are the essentials I reach for again and again: soft lighting, simple linens, and the little touches that make guests want to stay just a bit longer.
Outdoor Lanterns
Soft lighting that instantly makes the table feel finished as the sun goes down.
Bamboo Food Tent
Lightweight, durable, and perfect for outdoor afternoons that stretch a little longer.
Outdoor Throw Pillows
A simple way to make patio chairs feel softer, prettier, and more pulled together without changing the whole space.
Wind Chimes
My #1 PickWind chimes add a little tranquility and harmony to an outdoor space.
A few simple pieces make all the difference between eating outside and truly enjoying it.
Wine Glasses with Topper
A fun way to serve something refreshing and let guests help themselves—perfect for warm afternoons outside.
Wooden Serving Trays
Two wooden boards for bread, appetizers, pizza, or whatever needs to get from the kitchen to the patio.
Patio Happy Hour Favorites
Featured in: A Simple Summer Happy Hour on the Patio
A few small pieces that made this happy hour easy to pull together — nothing fussy, just the basics that let the food and the evening do the work.
Stemless Outdoor Glasses
Sturdy enough for the patio, pretty enough for the Little Italy Spritz. No stems to tip over on an uneven table.
Serving Tray
One trip outside instead of three. Everything travels from kitchen to patio at once.
Small Appetizer Plates
Just the right size for shrimp, olives, and bread — no dinner plates required.
Battery Operated Lanterns
Soft light without the fire hazard. Handy for the table, handier for lighting the neighbors' short walk home.
Linen Napkins
Johnny B doesn't get it. But I do. A little texture makes the table feel finished.
Outdoor Speaker
Johnny B's other job. Pair it, press play, and happy hour officially starts.
Golf Day Favorites
Featured in: Golf Is Hard. We still keep coming back.
A collection of the things we actually use on the course—from comfortable apparel and practical gear to the little extras that make a golf day run more smoothly, no matter what the scorecard says.
A few things that didn’t make the list, but you should keep in your bag, especially in Arizona:
Bug Repellent — mosquitoes can ruin a round
Snacks — keeps everyone from getting hangry
Portable Speaker — a little 70s R&R makes everything better
Hope a few of these picks make your next golf day easier, more comfortable, and a lot more fun.
The truth is golf humbles me regularly. I've always been athletic, so I figured, how hard could it be? Turns out… very.
But I've learned that the right outfit, comfortable shoes, and a few smart accessories can make a bad round feel like a good day out anyway (even when my swing has other plans).
Here's what actually makes a day on the course more enjoyable — besides, you know, skill:
Karen's Course Picks
Cute Golf Outfit
I've worn this dress three times this month because it actually keeps me cool, and I don't have to change before lunch. It's become my go-to.
Score Keeper
Forget trying to remember your score past hole 4 — this counts for you, and looks cute doing it. Also doubles as a very convincing "I'm definitely into golf now" accessory.
Comfy Golf Shoes
My #1 Pick
Good shoes make the round much more enjoyable — especially if you’re walking the course.
Lip Balm + Sunscreen
This is the last thing I put on before I head out the door — even on a slightly cloudy Arizona day sunscreen is a must, and your lips need protection too.
Golf Hat or Visor
A simple must-have for Arizona sun. This one stays put (even in the wind) and actually keeps you cool.
Golf Glove
A fresh golf glove makes the game feel a little easier—or at least makes you feel more prepared while you try. (And, that counts for something.)
Soft-Feel Golf Balls
Always good to have on hand when a few mysteriously disappear. (Let's just call it "inventory management.")
Water Bottle
A cold drink makes all the difference — especially on the course. This one keeps ice frozen for hours.
Golf is hard. The accessories are easier — and they make the whole day more enjoyable.
Johnny's Course Picks
I've been playing long enough to know the score doesn't care what you're wearing. But somewhere between the practice green and the third hole, I've picked up a few things that actually make the day easier — even if none of them have fixed my slice.
Here's what's in my bag:
Ball Retriever
Every golfer donates a few balls to the lake now and then. This little gadget has rescued enough of mine to earn a permanent spot in the bag.
Rangefinder
This rangefinder is accurate, easy to use, and especially helpful on unfamiliar courses. It tells me the right distance—but I still might choose the wrong club.
Sunglasses
Polarized enough to actually track the ball, dark enough to hide the reaction when I hook it into the trees.
Divot Tool
Repairing your mark takes ten seconds, and every golfer should do it. This one clips to my bag, so there’s no excuse—pull it out, fix the green, move on.
Srixon Golf Balls
Soft feel, consistent spin, good distance without overdoing the price. These are what I always play.
Golf Towel
Clips right onto the bag and gets used a lot — clubs, hands, whatever needs wiping down between holes. Cheap insurance against a bad grip.
You can't buy a better golf swing—I’ve tried. You can look like you have one.
The Golf Shirt
Looks good, doesn't show sweat, and she doesn’t need to know I've worn it two days in a row. That's really all I need from a shirt.
Golf Shorts
I heard cargo shorts aren't allowed on the course. These were the compromise.
From keeping the dips warm to keeping the drinks cold, these are the patio picks that earn their place on game day.
Game Day Favorites
Serve the Food
Warm dips, plenty of chips and sturdy plates—because balancing nachos on a cocktail napkin is not a hosting plan.
Chip & Dip Bowl
Keeps the chips surrounding the dip, exactly as nature intended. One bowl, plenty of room and no salsa jar on the table.
Small Appetizer Plates
Good-looking and unbreakable, because patio dinnerware should survive both the party and the trip back to the kitchen.
Triple Slow Cooker
Three warm dips or appetizers, ready for kickoff without taking over the kitchen counter.
Need more help before kickoff? The full game-day lineup is ready.
Escape the Heat Weekend Picks
A running collection of the little things that make each getaway easier — comfortable walking, cool evenings, scenic stops, relaxed dinners, and simple moments along the way.
Prescott Weekend Picks
Mornings and evenings up here are genuinely cool, even in July — pack for that. A couple things that earned their spot in my bag on this trip:
Grab a Sweater
Stylish, lightweight and folds small enough to toss in a tote and forget about until you need it.
Great Walking Shoes
Downtown Prescott is made for wandering — Courthouse Plaza, Whiskey Row, all of it is best explored on foot.
Sunglasses
Prescott's elevation means brighter sun even when the air feels cool — these stay on my face from breakfast on the patio to the drive home.
San Diego Weekend Picks
A slow coastal weekend doesn't require much — just a few pieces that make the drive easier, the evenings more comfortable, and the hotel stay feel like more than a place to sleep between beach walks
Pack a Jacket
Coastal climates can be cool, even in summer — nothing ruins a sunset walk like pretending you're not cold. This one's easy to pack and does double duty for an evening out.
A Summer Dress
Easy to pack and pretty enough for dinner in Little Italy. Relaxed, coastal, and forgiving enough for a second helping of pasta.
Room & Linen Spray
A small hotel-room upgrade with a big payoff. Spritz once and the room upgrades itself — no front desk call required.
Cute Sandals
Comfortable enough for the weekend, stylish enough that no one needs to know you wore them three days straight.
Road Trip Snack Box
Perfect for the drive over and hotel-room grazing. Fill it with granola, fruit, nuts — though we both know it’s mostly the chocolate-covered ones.
Crossbody Bag
Just enough room for the essentials without carrying too much. Perfect for walking the waterfront, exploring Coronado, or wherever the day takes you.
Headed up for a round of golf too? My favorite outfit, go-to golf balls, and water bottle that keeps ice frozen for hours all live over in
Golf Day Favorites →.
Pinetop Weekend Picks
Pinetop plays by its own rules — sunny mornings, afternoon storms rolling in out of nowhere, and evenings that dip cooler than you'd expect at 7,200 feet. Here's what earned a permanent spot in the getaway bag.
Rain-Ready
Packable Rain Jacket
Learned this one the hard way. Stuffs into its own pocket, so there's no excuse to leave it in the car.
Porch & Downtime
A Good Card Game
Something you can start, abandon when the food shows up, and pick back up an hour later. No rules to relearn each summer.
Practical Extras
Portable Phone Charger
You'll take more photos than usual — the pines do that to you. Don't run out of battery on the good ones.
Golf Umbrella (the big one)
Not for swinging — for the four of you huddled under it watching the sky do its thing. Bigger is better here.
Packable Throw Blanket
Evenings cool off more than you'd think at 7,200 feet. This one lives in the car all summer.
Electrolyte Drink Mix
The elevation sneaks up on you before the thirst does. One packet in a water bottle and you'll actually notice the difference by the second day.
Waterproof Walking Shoes
Pine needles get slick fast once the clouds roll in. Trust me on this one.
Insulated Tumbler
Coffee at 7am, something else entirely by 4pm on the clubhouse balcony. Same mug, either way.
Trail Mix
Golf cart snack, hike snack, "we're-not-stopping-for-lunch-yet" snack. Keeps everyone functional until the real food shows up.
Featured in: A Summer Night with Rod Stewart
A summer concert is one of those simple pleasures that just feels good. Here are a few pieces that make the evening easier—from a chic clear bag (because stadium rules) to the copper mugs that make pre-concert cocktails feel special.
My #1 Pick
A small clear bag that keeps the essentials close — tickets, ID, lip gloss, just enough room for concert-night must-haves.
A pretty, easy dress that feels polished without being fussy — comfortable enough for dinner, walking, and a fun concert night out.
Copper mugs that make any simple mule feel a little more special — pretty enough for entertaining and perfect for serving the Maggie May Mule.
A great concert night doesn't need much. Just good music, the right bag, and something cold to sip before the show.
My Top Picks
Featured in: What I’m Watching for Prime Day
These are the things I buy, restock, and reach for throughout the year — coffee, beauty favorites, wellness essentials, and simple home basics I like to keep on hand.
Nothing flashy. Just smart restocking.
For Your Morning
My Morning Ritual: I alternate between these two depending on my mood. Dunkin' for everyday mornings, Illy when I want something a little more special.
For Your Health & Beauty
A Note on Supplements: I've been using Nutrafol for several months. As always, check with your doctor before starting anything new — but I've been really happy with the results.
For Your Home & Guests
These paper guest towels are great. I especially like not needing to wash my hand towels after each guest.
This section changes with the seasons. Check back often — I update it regularly with whatever I'm cooking, exploring, or listening to right now.
Favorite Recipe
Shrimp Sambuca
My go-to for effortless entertaining — looks fancy, takes fifteen minutes.
Favorite Arizona Escape
Cooler air, Whiskey Row, golf, and a little Old Arizona charm.
Prescott Getaway
Favorite Playlist
Summer Patio Playlist
Great playlist for dinner outside, happy hour, and slow summer evenings.
Want My Monthly Favorites?
Every month I share my newest finds, seasonal must-haves, and a few things I'm loving — straight to your inbox. No clutter. Just the good stuff.