Taking a look back at a few of my favorite things having to do with summer.
Stripes, sticky skin, refreshing drinks and plush greenery. When I think about a dream summery state to be in, I think about dappled sunshine on plush green grass, bare feet on the ground, the coldness from the grass cooling me off from the humid summer air. I think about closing my eyes and feeling the earth support my body. The warm summer air blowing around me, making the leaves shimmer against the sky. I think about reading a good book while looking out on a vast view of water or maybe even trees and mountains.
I think about yummy meals with fresh summer ingredients. I think about delicious ice cold drinks. I pull inspiration from the colors of summer, the textures of the fabrics, the smell of flowers, the smell of the hot sun hitting the ground, rainstorms and then air conditioning making you freezing cold inside.Â
I dream about cute lace curtains blowing in the window, hung in front of beautiful double casement windows, that open out in the middle. I think about soft vintage cotton and linen bedding that feels soft to the touch and has the most comforting feeling of coolness on a hot day. I think about greens, reds, browns, pinks, blues, yellows, creams and all.Â
I love lots of the things that come with summer, even though summer typically leaves me feeling anxious. Usually due to the pressure of enjoying it or not savoring it while it's here. I am choosing to romanticize it at this moment and that feels good. I want to share a few ways in which you too can savor the last of the warm weather as we slowly leave summer behind. Even if you just go to a local park in your neighborhood or even your own backyard.Â
The first thing I think of when it comes to summer is PICNICS. I have probably had about 10 or so picnics this summer. There is a summer nostalgia sewn into picnic blankets. It’s also the perfect excuse to eat all your favorite snacks as a meal, or bring a full on meal to enjoy amongst nature. There are no limitations to a picnic. The feeling of the cold moist grass below your picnic blanket, the trees provide nice shade above you. You are typically barefoot, grounding your feet on the blanket or playing around in the grass.
I always love a sandwich, an Olipop (not sponsored just love it lol) or some refreshing cold drink, maybe a little funky light wine, some fresh fruit and a little dessert. A picnic is really when I feel the most ease. I finish up some snacking and then lay down to look up at the sky.
It almost feels like this is the way all meals should be consumed. Although, a table really is a must for many meals…but if we want to lean into romanticizing, then we don't have to be practical right now!
You can have fun with the color combos at a picnic. The picnic blanket you choose, the colors of the olives and the fruits, the crinkly paper that wraps the cheeses, the cute containers that the fruits are held in. I love all these little details and it’s fun to craft a sweet little moment on your picnic blanket because why not?
The blankets I typically grab for are top sheets, big towels, old blankets etc. However, there are lots of cute picnic blanket options.
Some pictures from my picnics this summer. Look at all that summery goodness.
Ice Cream:
Well since we are kind of on a food kick here I think the next thing I have to mention is…ice cream! Probably the most nostalgic of summer experiences. Whatever way you are consuming it and from wherever you are consuming it…it feels inherently summery. There were times this summer where the only way I was going to be able to cool off was by eating some ice cream. So, ice cream became a multiple times a week thing for me and my friends this summer.
Don’t even get me started on the art of licking an ice cream cone. Something my mom taught me and my sisters from a very young age, as if it were as serious as finishing our homework. It is still a much more useful tool to me than any homework assignment I ever did.
I love taking a long walk on a warm night to a little ice cream shop close by. Skin a little sticky and sweaty, ice cream being the only thing to cool you down. This summer my friends and I would grab an ice cream and just walk around the neighborhood looking at houses and talking about life. Even if I was stressed about something, there was an overall calmness and safety in this nostalgic act. I spent most of my summer in NYC. So, I frequented some good ice cream spots in my time there.
If you haven’t tried the soft serve from Leo in Williamsburg…you are simply missing out! The best flavor combo I had was the salted caramel and coconut swirl topped with sesame seeds, olive oil and flaky salt.
Okay, ice cream is just so damn cute too!
Stripes, Stripes, Stripes:
Perhaps stripes are always kind of a little summery. It seems as though they become more relevant in the summer months…or maybe that’s just me? However, I think stripes are relevant anytime of year. But this summer I have been so attracted to them. I want to see them on clothes, in houses, on the beach, at restaurants, ice cream shops, you name it.
I think stripes inside are really my favorite way to see them. Look at these!
Classic, traditional, fun, colorful, textural, summery, wintery. Are you feeling the stripes? I think I will be bringing stripes into my interior spaces more and definitely into my sister’s new house when we start redoing it. So, stay tuned for that.
I guess I’m just pointing out stripes because they are bringing me lots of joy and I hope they can bring you some too.
Fall has its perks and I am enjoying the fact that the weather is cooling down. However, I just wanted to look back on the ways I enjoy summer and the ways in which you can still enjoy the last couple weeks of warm weather as we say our farewell to summer.
All I’m saying is that maybe you need to go find some striped things to bring into your life or maybe another pattern that you love.
Go have that picnic with your friends.
Have a heaping swirly cone of ice cream.
Slow down the moments and enjoy all the nature and beauty that is the last of summer that is out there.