Welcome to the July edition of Stamped with Joy! Each month, I share a roundup of joyful moments, small delights, and things I’ve been loving lately. Let’s get into it!
Wandered & Noted
Anyone else feel like July went by in about eight seconds? It always seems to fly once the 4th of July wraps up, and suddenly we’re staring down the final stretch of summer. We finally found ourselves at home for a few weeks in a row, which hasn’t happened since this spring.
In between yard work and some projects around the house, we carved out time to for a few of our favorite Utah summer activities and did a few more things on our summer bucket list. Here are a some moments that made this month great:
Moab Moments
We took a little holiday getaway to Moab and played tourists instead of tour guides, checking out new places to eat and things to do. We absolutely loved our stay at the Gravity Haus Hotel. It had one of the most comfortable beds we’ve ever slept on in a hotel, and the pool was perfect for cooling off after a hot day of exploring.
Watch a little recap over on Instagram.
Mountain Meanderings
We spent a slow Saturday morning in our favorite mountain town, Midway, Utah, and stopped in at our usual spots: Midway Bakery, the Farmers Market, The Dainty Pear Co., and Haven Haus. We also swung by the new Ballerina Farm store—and I may or may not have come home with focaccia the size of my head. No regrets. It was pillowy, bready goodness.
See our weekend recap here.
Peach Discovery
I think I’ve eaten more peaches than anything else this summer, and I am not one bit mad about it. We made our way up to the Salt Lake City Farmers Market and snagged a few bushels of the most delicious white peaches from a local orchard. Plus, we learned the difference between freestone and non-freestone peaches, and I’m forever changed.
(P.S. If you’re wondering what that means—freestone peaches have pits that come out clean and easy, while non-freestone cling on for dear life. IYKYK.)
Wildflower Hike
We did a beautiful hike up at Solitude Mountain to catch the wildflowers in full bloom. Each year, the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation hosts free hikes—either guided or self-guided—and it’s one of my favorite ways to spend a summer morning. Learning about native flowers and seeing the colorful mountainside (plus spotting a moose and a deer) reminded us of one of the many reasons we love living in Utah.
Want a peek at the hike? Watch this.
Dinner and a Movie
One of our favorite restaurants puts on a themed dinner night, and this month’s was all about Alice in Wonderland—a movie neither of us had seen in over 30 years. Each course was inspired by a scene from the film, and their creativity totally brought it to life. If you’re not already following your favorite local restaurants on Instagram, I highly recommend it. These special events have ended up being some of our favorite meals, both in Utah and back when we lived in Minnesota.
Spending 4th of July in Moab 
Stopping by the Moab mural 
Walking around Lions Park in Moab 
Staying at Gravity Haus Hotel 
Finding cactus on our drive in the La Sal Mountain Loop 
Spending a Saturday morning in Midway, Utah 
Stopping in at The Dainty Pear Co. 
Checking out the new Ballerina Farm store 
Our bakery goods from our morning in Midway 
One of many peaches eaten this month 
Loving the bright orange Castilleja flowers 
Rosy Paintbrush flowers on our mountain hike 
Enjoying a fun Alice in Wonderland themed dinner 
Watching Alice in Wonderland during our meal
Savored & Loved
A collection of this month’s favorite finds—from gear and recipes to books and beauty staples.
Travel Picks
- Before we took our road trip down to Moab, I did a little organizing in our Atlas with this handy divider. It’s meant for totes or purses but it is the perfect size for our center console.
- I recently learned about SkyMiles Dining and Shopping perks and got all signed up to earn extra miles for spending money at our usual places. It’s simple, free, and the miles add up fast.
Food Favorites
- Making anything and everything with our weekly farmers market haul. Lots of fresh salads!
- Enjoyed a vanilla soft serve cone on National Ice Cream Day (I wish you could have seen the hilarity that ensued watching Dan eat his chocolate cherry dip cone in the 90-degree weather. For his sake, I’m sparing you the picture.)
- Tried out a new breakfast spot in SLC before the Farmers Market, Salt Egg City. It was so good and totally lived up to the hype!
Making a Nashville Hot Chicken Salad 
Love grinder salads in the summer 
Enjoying a delicious peach and Gorgonzola salad 
Our haul from the Salt Lake City farmers market 
Processed with VSCO with al3pro preset 
Stopping at Salt Egg City for breakfast
At Home
- I did a little décor refresh in our bedroom and realized I needed a few more tote storage bags to put away our old stuff that we’ll save for when we have guests. I first found these when we were moving to Utah, and now I use them for all sorts of things—bedding, clothing, camping gear, etc. They’re the best. They fold flat, are waterproof, and hold a ton.
- My old personal blender went kaput, so I replaced it with the Beast mini blender—and honestly, I’m glad the old one bit the dust. This one comes with several accessories and is pretty darn mighty.
Old bedding that needs to be put away 
These blue totes can fit so much 
Bedding all packed up and ready to be put away
Beauty Staples
- I’ve been using Divi since their very first product launch and recently restocked some of my favorites: the hair serum, shampoo and conditioner, and their dry shampoo—all of which come in handy travel sizes.
- And a fun bonus, here’s a link for $20 off your first order of $45 or more.
- Cracked Heel Repair. This stuff works. With how often I’m wearing sandals, this has been essential in between summer pedicures.
Style Picks
- I snagged this hat before our Australia trip, and it’s been my summer MVP—blocking the sun like a champ whether I’m exploring or just waging war on the weeds in our yard.
Media I Enjoyed
- We’ve been watching the show In with the Old (available on Magnolia Network). I seriously love this show. There’s no manufactured drama, and the transformations of old homes being restored are incredible.
- Favorite Listen of the Month: Always You and Me by Dani Atkins—but be prepared to cry. Runner-up was All Our Beautiful Goodbyes by Julianne MacLean.
- Favorite Read of the Month: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.
Watching In with the Old 
Reading by the pool in Moab
Filed & Shared
This month, I shared a mix of practical tips, big trip inspiration, and a little encouragement to step outside your comfort zone (even if that means… camping). In case you missed them, here’s what went live in July:
- How to Enjoy Camping When You’re Not Outdoorsy — My honest take on how I learned to love camping, plus the small comforts that made it easier.
- The Best Car Camping Packing List for Beginners Who Don’t Want to Rough It — Everything I actually pack for car camping (yes, there’s an air mattress involved).
- Ready to Explore? The 5 Best Countries for Beginners to Travel To — First international trip? This one’s for you.
- Planning Flexible Travel: What to Insure, What to Book Refundable — The travel planning safety net I always recommend, along with what we used this year when plans changed.
- New Orleans Travel Itinerary: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore in the Big Easy — A mapped and charming weekend guide to one of my favorite U.S. cities.
Until Next Time…
Here’s to stamping more joy on the everyday—in your travels, your home, and all the little moments that make a month. Tell me in the comments what moments or things brought you joy this month, I’d love to know!
With joy,
Bri
