Summer Living

There’s nothing quite like waking up to a sunny morning. The sun shining through your windows, the birds chirping, and the positive, happy vibes that fill your soul. It’s the time when the days stretch longer, inviting us to soak up the sun, embrace the warmth, and jet off on our adventures. Whether you’re lounging by the beach, exploring a new place, or simply enjoying a BBQ in the garden with your loved ones, let’s make the most out of this sun-kissed season. I would have always considered myself an autumn girly, but I tend to be more productive and motivated on beautiful, sun-filled days, so… I’m kind of thinking, am I a summer soul now??? Here is a late post on summer living as it is nearly over and I’m reminiscing on beautiful summer moments.

Summer is the perfect season to relax, unwind and refresh. The extended daylight and abundant sunshine boost your mood and increases serotonin, the happy hormone. The warmth encourages me to get out in nature more, go for walks, and sit out on the terrace and do a bit of gardening whenever I can. I cook up delicious, healthy dinners, make refreshing drinks, deep clean the house and get organised, and just escape with a good book on the terrace with an Aperol spritz or a refreshing cloudy lemonade. Summer’s vibrant energy creates a perfect environment for the mind, body and soul, making it a season that nourishes every part of our wellbeing.

When early June arrives, that is the time I get excited for summer and all the little joys that come with it. One of many being, a home refresh and decorating for the months to come. Yes, I am that person who switches out their décor accordingly to the season. I love to fully embrace each season as it comes. It gives me so much joy and I am a total home body, my home is my safe space and my temple. With that being said, let’s get into some of my little home rituals and ideas for the warmer months.

When the sun comes out and its beautiful beams shine through the windows and show up every bit of dust, dirt and streaks, it’s time to do a deep clean. I love to de clutter, simplify my space and get organised. There’s nothing more gorgeous than the smell of freshly washed laundry. I love to hang up my towels and sheets around the house, so the crisp, fresh, scent of cotton fills up my home. That’s why I just had to make beautiful soy wax melts in the scent “Fresh Linen” for you to enjoy in your home too. They are my favourite ones to light when I’m cleaning, in springtime, and in the summer months. Simmer pots are a great way to fill your home with fragrance. Essentially, in a pot, you add water, aromatics (like herbs, spices, fruits, oils etc.) for the purpose of making your space smell good. Here is a little recipe I like to use below.

Summer Simmer Pot

In a large pot, on a medium heat add:

• 4x cups of water
• 1x large lemon sliced
• 1x orange sliced
• 4x sprigs of thyme (or mint or lavender)
• Few drops of vanilla extract

Bring it all to a slight boil and then reduce heat to simmer for a few hours and let the aroma fill up your home. Be careful not to let the water run out and burn everything to the bottom of the pot as I have done!

Shop our fresh linen wax melts here.

The first thing I think of when I think about summer décor, is a light and airy space, neutrals (obviously) and pops of colour from fresh flowers or décor throughout. I love to incorporate textures like linen, rattan, silk and bamboo. For me, a flowy, sheer voile curtain draped effortlessly off your windows or patio doors has such a boho, villa vibe! The sun peeking through, and the gentle breeze swaying your curtains back and forth is heavenly. Voiles are inexpensive which is a bonus if you want to switch it up for your summer décor. I like to take out my lighter throws for summer, everything is light, airy and soft. I love linen table napkins, again, placed effortlessly on your table, styled with fresh flowers in a vase, or a few little bud vases, even place a potted herb plant on the table and bring the beauty of nature indoors.

TIP** I have a type of flower that I have been getting all summer for my home. They literally last for two months in a vase with water! The plant is called Kalanchoe. I only recently discovered this, but I just couldn’t believe the length of time I had these flowers sitting on my coffee table! The roots grow in water so it just lasts forever and then you can even replant them. You can buy them in bunches at your local supermarket. Of course there are other long-lasting flowers like begonias, carnations, and orchids.

As for little home decoration ideas to pop throughout your home, you can literally take props you probably already have, that’s what I like to do for this season. Items like your fruit, if your kitchen is not too hot you could leave out some lemons, oranges, and limes in a bowl, or you could get some fake ones. I think we all own a beach hat or two? Hang them up! I have a few straw beach hats of different sizes displayed up on my wall and I love it. Do you have any seashells? Select a few of your best and set them out in your bathroom or fill some with wax and have pretty, little seashell candles, it’s very easy! Or paint little accents of gold onto them. As for outside, I pop fairy lights up around the fence, and dangling from my umbrella. Lanterns and clusters of glass vases with candles inside burning are a must for that cosy, romantic, summer evening vibe.

Find our selection of summer décor items here.

Lastly, I’d like to leave you with a couple of summer recipes that I love! One delicious dinner recipe and a refreshing drink recipe. One of my favourite dinners to have is risotto, and when there’s leftovers, I just have to make arancini, which I love even more!

Lemon Parmesan Pea Risotto

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 white onions, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp of butter
• 1 ½ cups arborio rice, uncooked
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1/3 cup of white wine
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup of frozen peas
• ½ cup of parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 ½ tsp lemon zest

Method:

1. In a small saucepan, heat stock and keep warm on a low heat.
2. In a large pan, on a medium heat, sauté onion in butter for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the rice, thyme and black pepper; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the wine and lemon juice.
4. Cook while continuing to stir until all the liquid is absorbed.
5. Stir in the heated stock, ½ cup at a time, stirring continuously. Allow liquid to absorb between additions.
6. Cook just until risotto is creamy, and the rice is almost tender, about 20-30 minutes.
7. Add the peas, parmesan cheese, and lemon zest. Stir and cook until heated through and make sure the rice is al dente.

If you have any rocket or chives, or even fancier, pea shoots from your garden, add on top for an extra pop of freshness. With your leftovers make arancini, and serve with a crisp, dressed salad.

Summer Cloudy Lemonade

The easiest, refreshing drink there is! Nothing beats a homemade, fresh lemonade on a hot summer’s day.

1. In a tall glass, or even cuter, a mason jar:
2. Fill your glass full of ice and pop some lemon slices in there.
3. Pour 40cl (shot) of fresh lemon juice
4. Pour 40cl of sugar syrup (equal parts hot water to white sugar and let cool)
5. And 40cl of orange juice
6. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a lemon wheel and voila!
7. Add some mint sprigs to be extra bougee.

There you have it, my outlook on summer living. Summer evokes so much happiness in me. The sense of calm, the freedom, the warmth, the smell of freshly mowed grass, the song of the birds, the smell of sunscreen and florals, the list goes on, but I’ll stop now. Oh you wait until my autumn blog post! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer. I wish you a peaceful, nourishing, adventure filled summer, with cocktails in the sun, surrounded by your loved ones.