It’s been a little quiet around here.

Not because there hasn’t been anything to share, actually, quite the opposite. Life has felt very full lately, just in a different way.

A few months ago, I stepped away from my career and into a new season as a stay-at-home mom. And now, a few months in, I think I’m finally starting to find my footing.

Our days are slower than they used to be. Not necessarily less busy (if you have a toddler, you know 😂), but busy in a completely different way.

There have been mornings without anywhere we have to be, afternoons outside, swim classes, snacks upon snacks, little adventures, lots of Toy Story, and ordinary days that somehow end up being the ones I want to remember most.

And honestly? I really love it.

There’s something so special about getting to experience summer through my toddler’s eyes. Everything is exciting. A trip outside is an adventure. A popsicle is the greatest thing that’s ever happened. Water is meant to be splashed in, rocks are meant to be collected, and there is absolutely no reason to rush when there are things to stop and look at along the way.

I’m learning from her more than I expected.

I’m also learning what it means to build a life around a completely different rhythm.

For so long, so much of my identity was tied to my career, my work, meetings, projects, deadlines and always having something that needed to be done next. Leaving that behind was something I wanted, but that doesn’t mean you instantly know what your new normal is supposed to look like.

These last few months have been about figuring that out.

Figuring out our routines. Figuring out what fills my cup. Letting some days be productive and other days just be days. Learning that a successful Tuesday can look like getting a million things crossed off my list… or spending half the afternoon outside with Ellie and reheating my coffee three times.

I’m still very much figuring it out.

But I think that’s part of what I want this next chapter of Curated by Kendra to be about.

When I started this little corner of the internet, I wanted a place to share the things I genuinely love and recommend — the things I’ve researched way too much, bought, tried, returned, reordered and immediately texted my sister or a friend about.

That hasn’t changed.

If anything, being home has made my running list even longer. 😂

So, consider this my little summertime return to Curated by Kendra.

There will still be plenty of finds, reviews and recommendations, but I also want to share more of the life happening around them, motherhood, home projects, things making our days easier, toddler favorites, recipes, books, beauty, the occasional deep dive into something no normal person would spend this much time researching, and whatever else feels worth passing along.

Nothing perfectly curated.

Just thoughtfully curated.

For now, I’m soaking up what’s left of summer, settling a little deeper into this season of life, and feeling really grateful that I get to be here for it.

And I’m happy to be back here, too. 🤍

— Kendra