Hello, Tuesday!
It’s the first official Shay’s Ways thanks to SO MANY of your suggestions! When I look at the time stamp, Deena Stephan was the first to suggest this blog series title, so I have a $100 gift card for you to either Nordstrom, Athleta or Vuori! I emailed you this morning. Please email me back to claim your prize. So many thanks to ALL OF YOU who left comments suggesting names for this series. I decided on this one because it was such a popular suggestion by many of you…which told me it was an easy way for you to know what that day’s post would be about.
So far, we have:
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
And today, I’m sharing my 21 Keys to Savoring Summer!
Here’s the deal, I love summer buuuuuut for whatever reason, especially this year, I’m having to remind myself more frequently (ie: multiple times a day) to stop and savor it. Sometimes living here on the sun…I mean Texas…where it’s so freaking hot you cannot even walk to the mailbox without your feet getting burned from the sidewalk, you forget to have “joy”. I remember very clearly one time when I worked in a corporate setting this one person was very testy with me one afternoon and then all of a sudden she said “I’m so sorry. I just cannot be nice. It’s too hot to be nice.”. Bahahaha! Honey, I feel you!
Throw the heat in with four kids home from school for three months who for whatever reason need to eat all day long (and yet, they need me to help them find the food like I’ve hidden it somewhere besides the kitchen), and I can occasionally lose my zeal for the day. But, you know me…I love having zeal for each day. I truly love waking up and having a day ahead of me to enjoy. I want to savor each and every season for what it’s worth, so I made us a list of ways I’m savoring summer so that when it’s all said and done, I can look back and think “I did it right…now hand me my pumpkin spiced latte”.
These are my simple little keys to savoring summer…some require an explanation, some do not. All of these are easy to implement and cost very little (if anything). Whether you work outside the home or in, have kids or don’t, are younger or more mature, I think these keys can add some joy to your summer season. My very favorite word in the English language is cozy…and by doing many of these things below, you can even make summer a cozy season too 🙂 .
Grab your easy margarita and settle in, it’s my 21 Keys for Savoring Summer…
1: Make you a summer playlist. On Friday, I shared this one here…
…on Spotify, but there are so many other great bands/artists/stations for easy summer music. We personally love any station during the summer (whether on Pandora or Spotify) that plays The Beach Boys, Billy Joel, The Weekend, The Eagles or Harry Styles. All of these stations incorporate a variety of artists that just simply make us happy while also making us feel very summery too.
2: Change out your candle scents. As much as I love a warm and spicy scent, in the summer, I burn beach scents (like Circle E Candles’ Barefoot Beach). I have to burn candles all day long in my office and downstairs in my kitchen, and changing out the scents from spicy to natural/lemony/coconuty/summer scents makes me so happy.
3: Bath products. This time of year, I get so giddy to switch out my lotions and soaps. After a hot and sweaty run, I love, love, love hopping in a cold-ish shower and then stepping out and slathering my skin with a light and summery scent for the day. It’s so refreshing! Andrew and I discovered Shore Soap Co several years ago and love it! It’s a small business out of Rhode Island that produces the most amazing lotions and soaps. All of the scents are just made for summertime. My favorites are Pacific and Coconut Bikini and Andrew’s favorite is Atlantic. Kensington loves Lazy Lavender too. I’m currently mixing things up and using Salty Mariner body wash and Warm Sand body butter. It’s the perfect little summer indulgence. Speaking of scents…
4: A summer scent. You all know that Beach Walk is my go-to summer perfume. It’s the perfect scent for the season.
5: Change out bed linens and pillows. I take a layer off my bed and swap out a few of my pillow covers in the family room for lighter/linen/creamier ones. An easy way to brighten up a cozy space.
6: Grow a veggie garden (or visit a farmer’s market): Heck, just stroll through Trader Joe’s if you can’t do the others, but take in the seasonal produce.
7: Go for a walk during the extra daylight hours. I love the extra daylight for a walk in the morning or evenings. This isn’t a walk for the dogs or a walk for my own personal exercise, this is just a walk for me as I wrap up the day.
8: Enjoy your coffee iced instead of hot.
9: Read seasonal books or magazines. My June Book Review yesterday had six books for your summer reading pleasure! I love to read books that are in season. I also love picking up a magazine or two that have a seasonal flair…
…I read both of these magazines over the weekend. A cup of coffee and a magazine is the perfect mini-vacay for me.
10: Eat dinner outside.
11: Travel. Awwwww…if you can, get out of town. Nothing says summer like a vacation.
12: Take a Friday off. Whether you get to travel or not, when you can, take a “summer Friday” and make it a three day weekend. I don’t think there is anything more indulgent than no responsibilities on a Friday during the summer season.
13: Find some fireflies and marvel.
14: Watch a summer movie. Oh there are so many that I love! Here are a few of my faves: Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated, Under the Tuscan Sun, Mama Mia, and Eat, Pray, Love.
15: Scroll through Pinterest. Scrolling through Pinterest is one of my favorite things to do each day. I have so many summer-inspired boards you can see HERE.
16: Seasonal cooking. Use the freshest ingredients from the season! Today’s recipe…
…would be perfect! My Peach Caprese Salad tastes like summertime. Seasonal produce makes summer suppertime extra delicious!
17: Have fresh flowers. We always have seasonal flowers on the kitchen countertop that we purchase just from the grocery store. For less than $5, you can have beautiful summer flowers in your home too.
18: Sleep in.
19: Stay up late.
20: Watch a movie outside. Whether you set up a screen and a projector, turn on a patio TV or simply take an iPad outside, there is just something extra fun about watching a movie outside at night during the summer.
21: Make homemade jam. Because it’s easy. And delicious. You can read about my freezer jam obsession HERE.
Your turn!! What are your simple ways of savoring summer? I don’t care how big or small they are, I want to read about them! Please comment and share!!
Happy Tuesday, friends! I’m so happy to savor the summer with YOU! xx
Lauren says
Get outside in the morning! Our summers are super hot here too, making the afternoons unbearable. We love to go for a bike ride, hike, play in the yard as long as we can in the morning before it gets too hot. Then the hot afternoons are great for pool time or running errands inside.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!!!!!
Elspeth says
I love this new series!! And i made some
Of your jam yesterday and it was delicious!! Happy summer!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so happy you made jam!! It’s such a fun thing to pull out of the freezer all year long!
Marla says
Hi Shay! We love to make fresh squeezed lemonade and lots of popsicles. We also love going to the drive in…it’s a summer tradition.
I love opening my windows in the morning before it gets too hot to listen to the birds and all the summer sounds and then sitting outside in the quiet of the evening and again, taking in the summer sounds as the day wraps up.
Erika Slaughter says
You should make it “22 Keys to Savoring Summer” and add, “Find some amazing friends to enjoy the season with.” hahahaha!
Mix and Match Mama says
Duh! Why did I not include that one?! 😉
Amy Lafever says
Got my candle burning as I read, and I’m about to go switch out some pillows like you suggested. Love this series!! Have a great day Shay!
Ashley P says
All the Popsicles!
Alison says
Thanks for sharing!! It is hard to enjoy the summer when kids are always begging for a snack or to do something, and you’re just over here trying not to melt from the intense heat! Love the list!
Andrea says
Summer cozy 😉 I’m here for it!!!
Danette says
Aaaawh, I love this list!! It makes me want to tell winter (over here in South Africa) to take her flaky legs and hurry up!! 😄 Please do the same kind of list for winter? I need your zest and love for winter in my life, because I feel like I just want to crawl under the covers and hibernate until it’s warm outside and I can feel like a human again 😁(summer baby over here) 🙂 thank you for sharing, you always bring sunshine into my day, even though it’s freezing outside! 😉
Joanne says
We like to add making homemade popsicles and ice cream to our list! I love simple summer pleasures like kayaking on the lake early in the morning without any other boats around.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!! Great idea!!
Beth Keller says
Wonderful ideas! I made strawberry jam last week and it’s sooo good. Next up—blueberry!!!
Andrea Conrad says
“I did it right now hand me my pumpkin spiced latte!” 😂😂😂😂 I almost fell off the treadmill when I read that! Thanks for the laugh Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
I mean…I am who I am. Ha! I love this season, but I’m ready for a pumpkin stat!
Beth Valenta says
I do a Summer Bucket List as soon as I get out of school…always on it are Putt Putt, local baseball game with fireworks, watch the sunrise, movie outside, rooftop bar for a bev., eat oysters, and here in VA we love our Hanover tomatoes! So BLTs are dinner and breakfast right now!
Katie Stewart says
I’ve grown a garden this year. It is so rewarding to walk out each morning and see the growth from the day before! Cucumbers and tomatoes this year, but also a flower garden of blue salvia, zinnias, dahlias, and a wildflower mix!
I love sitting on my porch before anybody else wakes up and thank the good Lord for my blessings and the day.
Lisa D says
I love your thoughts on savoring summer! One thing I consistently enjoy during the summer is taking my coffee and gratitude journal out on my patio and having my quiet time in the fresh cool morning. It makes me happy to start the day outside listening to birds and looking at the pots of beautiful flowers and contemplate my blessings 😊
Mix and Match Mama says
You sound like a woman after my own heart. xx
Kristine says
Love this! I’m a teacher so I’m lucky to have my summers off. 😊 I would add read a good book outside to the list! Reading is so much better outside on a beautiful day!
Paula says
Fun series! During the summer we try to learn a new skill. The school year is so packed we don’t really get to really invest time in something new. This summer my kiddos are learning about how to be a responsible digital citizen and how to stay safe online 🙂 lots of activities and good conversations!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this, Paula!!! What a great idea!
Vickiy VanBeek says
Your posts ALWAYS make my day!! Your positive, faith based, and balanced approach to life is inspiring. I just love and appreciate YOU and your passion, humor, and advice. I am so connected with you and your book choices. Thank you for sharing. 🥰
Mix and Match Mama says
Your words are too kind. Thank you so much, Vickiy!
Sheaffer says
Oh yeah, I’ll be making that peach salad this week for sure!
Lea Ansamaa says
We live in North Finland so the sun is UP all night – so it is basically shining at 4 a.m. 🙂 So no movies outside, since you cannot see anything. 😀 But these nights are so magical! So we like to sit outside very late. Also I love to bike so we make long bike rides at day time and go for an ice cream. Also we love to swim in the river. In here it is not that hot so summers are very light, sunny, crisp and beautiful. Summer doesn´t last too long but it is all the more beautiful.
Diane says
I pick up our two youngest granddaughters from their summer camp two days a week to come out late afternoon to swim and eat a light supper. Their mom joins us with their baby brother and before we eat we do “rose, thorn, unicorn” (from Polka Dotty Place). The rose is something good, thorn is something that may have made us upset or sad, and the unicorn is something that surprised us. Last night my unicorn was the ten drops of rain we got in Waco💦!
Kelly S. says
Jump in the pool and get your hair wet several times this summer to play with your kids. They will love it and it feels so good!
Mix and Match Mama says
YESSSSS! This was a lesson I’ve talked about many times. When Smith was like three years old, he asked me why I didn’t get my hair wet like Ms. Karla (a friend’s mom). From that moment on, I’ve tried to “get my hair wet” any chance I get.
Alison says
I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love freshly brewed (or sun-baked) unsweetened Iced Tea! I never drink it during any other season, either. So, sipping one of those while I sit on my porch with a book is my little slice of summer.
Dani says
Be intentional! Summer bucket lists are a great way to make sure you are savoring the season and all it has to offer.☀️
K.K. says
Summer is my perfect time for reflecting on what I have done in the last year and where I want to go in the next year. My work pace is a little slower, so it’s nice to do that for my professional life, but also my personal life. Though, it’s been years since I was in school, my mind still works on an academic calendar. August to July! 🙂
I also like to preemptively buy my fall gifts for friends and family, since fall is always one my most busy seasons work-wise.
Traci says
Awe this post made me so happy and just what my mama heart needed as I read it on the patio with my coffee! Love the movie outside idea! Grateful for your always positive spin on life. Hugs!
Gretchen says
Love this series! Have morning coffee outside–it is such a limited season where we can do that so I work hard to get it:)
Pamm Heath says
My grands know that summer time is “Minni and Me” time. I work full time, but every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, is pool time. Raising my girls, every 1/2 day on Monday was our pool time in the summers. I believe our kids need to be busy. I also love a good Farmer’s Market. I live in the historic district of my little town and once a month is City Market; a day for local farmer’s to gather and showcase their produce in the streets of downtown. It’s an easy walk from my house, you get home grown veggies and a stop or two along the way for new murals is great (and maybe a stop at the local Soda Fountain for ice cream). Life is good!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this SO MUCH!!!! You are #goals!
Tiffany says
Our youngest son is leaving for college at the end of August and we will officially be empty nesters. And while we are so proud of our boys for working hard and finding their way, this is an end of an era/season for us and the beginning of a new one. And if I’m being honest, I feel anxious and sad about it. Today’s post was such a good reminder to find joy in the little things, and try and enjoy this summer with our boys, while they are still both at home. Shay, thank you for your blog and for your fun, uplifting and positive posts.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness! I wish I could give you a big hug. xx
Alysha O’Neill says
1. Lying on the hammock in the shade reading a good book.
2. Relaxing in the water with a summery drink. The kids and I have started making mixed drinks with pop and various juices.
3. Opening the window on cool summer nights to let the breeze come in.
4. Buying summer outfits that look cute and are comfortable!
5. Sitting on the porch at night playing cards.
Lauren Henderson Pignetti says
Going to a baseball game is my ultimate savoring summer thing 🥰
Claire says
Shay, you know what makes my summer feel the most summer-y? Seeing your bright happy smile on your stories daily, and reading posts like these. Truly truly my summer wouldn’t be the same without you in it. Thank YOU!!
Side note- something I also love that puts me in the summer mode is your Q&A with Andrew and Shay! Please make more! I also love listening to the bestie breakdown… even though I’ve listened to all of them, hearing them a second time still cheers me up. Not a podcast out there can beat Erika and Shay just chatting about random topics we all love to hear and can relate to.
xo
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh Claire, thank you so much! You are just the sweetest. I really appreciate your love, support and encouragement!
TIFFANY says
do you have code for Circle E candles?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t! I’ve never collaborated with them. I just really love their candles.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom says
I did it right now hand me my pumpkin spiced latte! — Oh, Shay! THIS IS YOUR BEST line you’ve ever written on here! You had me laughing so hard and I just texted this (and shared your post) with a bunch of other mom’s!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Mix and Match Mama says
I mean…it’s exactly how I feel in my heart. 😉