Have a Charming Fairytale Summer with a Cottagecore Bucket List

I don't know if it's the warmer weather and all the fresh blooms, or just the call of the thrift stores and this whack economy of ours, but I have been moving closer and closer to wanting to live a simpler life.

You might have noticed a shift here on the blog - all the chats of shopping secondhand, gardening, DIY, and flowers. It's been just the tip of the iceberg so far!

As we come up to summer and have more fresh produce, more outdoors time, and more free time in our schedules (though don't get me started on how impossibly long we have to wait for schools to wrap things up in our area), I'm trying to get organized so that I can make the most of these ambitions during a season when I have the most at my disposal. And it's all very cottagecore.

Maybe you're feeling this vibe, too? 

I made a list of some of the things I'd like to accomplish or try this summer and made it shareable in case you'd like to give them a shot. (Feel free to save it/print it/pin it!)

EDIT 5/21: I realized that depending on the screen you're viewing this post from, the image below might appear slightly blurry! Just in case that's happening for you, HERE is the link to the full image. Enjoy! xo

This list is so exciting to me! 

Some of the things I'd like to make from scratch this summer are taco seasoning, disinfecting wipes, and butter. I just think there's something special about the intentionality of those things, not to mention the economic and health benefits.

There are so many cottagecore books I'd like to read - some that are literally based on the concept, but others that just fit the tone. Some of them are:

The little book of Cottagecore by Emily Kent
Escape into Cottagecore by Ramona Jones
The Cottage Fairy Companion by Paola Merrill
Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
The hands-on home by Erica Strauss
Floriography by Jessica Roux
The Complete Language of Flowers by S. Theresa Dietz
The Naturally Beautiful Garden by Kathryn Bradley-Hole
The Fairy Tale Girl by Susan Branch
Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai
American Cozy by Stephanie Pedersen 

And no, I will not be able to get through all of them (lol), so we'll see.

The nature loom idea is...going to be a bit of trial and error. But basically, you find some thick branches and attach them into a frame, add small, thin nails to the top and bottom branches, wrap string back and forth between them, and then try your hand at weaving. Who knows how this will go (or even what kind of string to use?? twine? baker's twine? yarn?) or what I will end up making, but it seems like so much fun!

I haven't yet settled on any embroidery projects, so we'll see, but I'm thinking something with wildflowers or strawberries, possibly.

And the nature collection - I want to get a basket (I probably have a perfect one from thrifting already), and fill it with the things we find in nature. Pinecones, cool stones, robins eggs, acorns, etc. It'll make such a sweet hygge collection for the house.

I also have a few local-to-me things I have on my personal list (like, see BPO perform at a park, visit The Frase Farm to pick flowers, and check out a really cute thrift/consignment shop I've heard a lot about lately!)

PS - I'm working on the sourdough starter already, and have a highlight bubble of my updates on Instagram if you're interested! I'm currently working on picking a name for her...I have some pretty good options that make me laugh...let me know if you have any good ones :)

This post contains affiliate links (the list of books!) at no cost to you. This means that if you purchase any of them, I may make a small commission. It's teeny tiny, but every little bit helps me support my blog! I appreciate you!! xo