Happy THURSDAY, friends!
It’s another edition of…
I hope you’re in the mood for SUMMERY + LIGHT + HAPPY + INSPIRING because that’s what’s on tap today.
I shared this book with you last year…
…How to Be Chic in the Summer by Fiona Ferris.
This book always motivates and inspires me, and thus, I thought we’d use it as inspiration for our post today.
This is now my third year in a row to read through this light and happy little book (by one of my favorite authors!) because every time I pick it up, I get an extra little pep in my step to make my summer a little more “chic” and a lot less…
…because no one wants to be sweaty and upsetty 😉 .
If you haven’t read How to Be Chic in the Summer or any of Ferris’ other books, you absolutely should! I have read so many of them (at least a dozen!), and I always come away inspired.
I decided to make a little list (my “ways”) of a few ways I try to be “chic” in the summer.
I’ll share mine and then I hope you share yours too!
These are a few ways that I add a little bit of “summer chic” to this hot and sweaty season…
#1: REMOVE LAYERS AROUND MY HOUSE
One thing I always do is remove some of my extra (much beloved!) cozy pillows, throws…”heavier”… things from around my house. I’ll remove a few pillows from the couch, change out the blankets in the basket behind the couch (replacing the big, thick sherpa ones with my lighter cotton throws). I swapped the darker pillows in my library for two light blue ones. I changed out the placemats and napkins on my kitchen table, and I moved a few books around in my kitchen. I like to display cookbooks and such, but I swap them out seasonally. I moved the heartier/cozy cookbooks to the cabinet and pulled out the ones that have big, bright lemons and veggies on the cover.
#2: CHANGE OUT MY SCENTS (HOME & BODY)
I let my candles burn down and then replace the warm, woodsy scents with lighter versions. I love to burn candles year around, but right now, I’m burning fruity, citrus-y, salty scents instead of cinnamon/smokey/vanilla ones. I also change out my lotions and perfumes in my bathroom too. I put away the heavier woodsy scents until fall and bring out salty scents. I instantly feel lighter just by swapping my cologne.
#3: LIGHTEN MY PLATE
I would imagine that it’s “summer chic” to have a plate piled with lighter fare. You know I love me a casserole, but when I sit down to meals and my plate includes bright veggies a little fruit, it always makes me feel a little like I’m on a tropical vacation.
#4: FRESH FLOWERS
I mean, is there anything more “summer chic” than fresh flowers? Trader Joe’s has the best deal on great flowers, and it’s crazy to me how just a few make the whole room feel a bit brighter.
#5: USE A CARAFE
My family laughs at me because I go through “carafe phases”. I will pull one out and add ice and water and sliced lemons and feel oh so special for about a week and then, I get lazy and stop doing it. Why do I stop? Water tastes so much better when it’s poured out of a cold carafe from the fridge. It just does!
#6: GOLD JEWELRY
I love gold jewelry year around, but when I see it on women during the summer season, it always speaks “chic” to me.
#7: SKIRTS AND DRESSES
I love me a pair of shorts, but I tend to wear dresses and tennis skirts more and more during the hot summer months because not only is it cooler (temperature wise), but they tend to get less wrinkled and I look more pulled together despite how active/sweaty/busy I am. Sweaty, wrinkly clothes just don’t scream “summer chic” to me. A soft cotton dress that allows one to breathe does.
#8: PULL MY HAIR BACK
I have a lot of hair, and I prefer to wear it down…but I also prefer not to have my hair a big giant sweaty, frizzy mess due to summer weather. If it’s really hot and yuck, I’ll pull it back to keep it off my face and neck and looking a bit more polished.
#9: CHANGE MY PLAYLIST
I always have music playing in the background of my house, my car…always. I change it out seasonally because it just sets a vibe, puts me in the mood for that day/week/month/time of year. This time of year, I love the Coastal Grandmother stations on Spotify. I’ve recently been listening to THIS ONE.
#10: LIGHTEN MY ACCESSORIES
Heavy earrings, heavy necklaces…no thanks. It makes me feel sweaty, not summery.
#11: FRESHEN BEDDING MORE OFTEN
I wash my sheets every single week…but during the summer season, I try and wash them even more frequently. I think it’s extra luxurious to get into freshly laundered sheets on a warm summer night.
#12: PULL OUT TOTES & REUSABLE BAGS
I don’t know why, but this time of year, I tend to pull out my big totes and reusable bags WAY more when I go grocery shopping than the rest of the year. Why is that? I’m not sure, but there is nothing chic about plastic bags…so I should do this more often.
#13: DINE ON WHITE PLATES
Food always looks better on a white plate. Always. Bright summer food looks extra extra good. If you’re using colored/patterned plates, try putting your summer meals on a white one and see if it doesn’t look a bit more chic.
#14: VISIT THE FARMERS MARKET
An early morning stroll through the farmers market is always a summery vibe. I love it.
#15: LET HAIR AIR DRY
I love to air dry my hair as often as I can…but I especially love to do it during the summer. Standing under a hot blow dryer is not chic. That’s sweaty.
#16: WEAR WHITE
I don’t know, it is possible to name a more “chic” summer color to wear than white? I think not.
#17: DRINK SPARKLING WATER
Sparkling water with a slice of lime at a patio restaurant during the summer…oh so simple and yet way more chic than still.
#18: LOVE LOUNGE CLOTHES
I love to come home and be comfy, but I think summer chic is comfy but “put together” loungewear. Basically, my old Kansas State tee with the hole in the sleeve isn’t really going to make me feel summer chic.
And those are just a few ways I’m trying to add a little “summer chic” to my days.
Okay, what do you do this time of year to add a little chic to your summer? I would love, love, love to know!
Don’t forget, I have other SHAY’S WAYS you might want to check out today too…
Just look:
25 Keys to a Peaceful Morning
22 Keys to making Fall Cozy
19 Key Fall Kitchen Essentials
18 Keys to Prepping for a Trip
14 Keys to Simplify BACK TO SCHOOL
21 Keys to Savoring Summer
21 Keys for Working at Home {Summer Edition}
25 Keys to Outdoor Summer Entertaining
25 Keys to Maintaining our Yard
17 Keys to my Holiday Prep
11 Keys to a Cozy Winter
9 Keys to Returning from a Trip
12 Keys to Leaving Your Kiddos When You Travel
13 Keys to Meal Planning
8 Keys to Creating Daily Routines You Love
21 Keys to Elevating the Everyday
13 Keys to Managing Jet Lag
9 Keys to a Cozy Halloween Night
19 Keys to Hosting Festive & Easy Holiday Parties
12 Keys to Adding Activity into the Everyday
17 Keys to Working From Home
9 Easy Afternoon Energizers
14 Simple Luxuries
8 Keys to Finding a Gym
21 Ways I Hygge
12 Ways for a Happier Day
7 Keys to Reducing/Avoiding Motion Sickness
8 Ways to Add “Vacation” to the Everyday
10 Keys to Getting Ready to Workout
8 Ways I Stay Healthy When I Travel
7 Ways to Make the Holidays Fun for Teens
9 THINGS NOT TO DO AT THE GYM
7 Ways to Find Community
11 TRAVEL FINDS IN MY HOME
If you are looking for a summery recipe to make, I am sharing my CHICKEN CRANBERRY PASTA SALAD today as well.
Happy Thursday, friends! I’ll see you back here tomorrow. Go out and add a little chic to your summery day 😉 . xx
Elspeth Mizner says
Love this!! I try to swap out my scents and eat outside more in the summer too!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Katie Compton says
I do so many of these things, but never thought of myself as “chic”! But I sure do now, ha!! I also like to switch out my dish towels to lighter colors/prints and switch my hand soaps to citrus or tropical scents.
My hair is naturally curly so I exclusively air dry. But in the summer my hair tends to “swell”. Like a lot. So I’ll put it up in a cute twist or top knot. BUT I recently discovered Kitsch Air Dry Creme and it’s a total game changer. Enhances my curls and tames frizz and lasts all day! Highly recommend- https://a.co/d/0c0AAFAm
Mix and Match Mama says
I love Kitsch sprays and their hair ties too. I need to look at their other products as well!
Beth Valenta says
So love all of these ideas! Mine are fresh hydrangeas, beachy candle scents, patriotic colors…especially a lot of colbalt blue with my vases and little lamps, pillows with the American flag, Beach scent from Anthropologie, spring color pedicures that are classic new one I love is Bubble Bunny, and yes to a farmer’s market. I don’t care if I leave with a tomato, I feel a little Meryl picking out veggies. LOL
BTW, I just finished Mad Mabel…such a great read. I need more like this one.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love this list so much!! Thank you, thank you! I need to smell the Beach scent!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I live in athletic wear during the summer but I want it to be “cute” athletic wear so I feel put together! For example, yesterday I had on running shorts and a tshirt and my best friend asked me where my shirt was from because she said that even though it was a tshirt, it was elevated–that helps me feel put together while being ready to chase my kids around.
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes! We can be super comfy and sweat-wicking and cute 🙂 .
Laci Murray says
Yes to all this!
Darcy says
I like your comment about putting out books that match the season. I was shopping for graduation gifts last year and stumbled across the book “Freely and Lightly” by Emily Lex in a local shop and thought that will look cute and summery on my night stand! Well, it is actually a great read too…beautiful watercolor drawings and inspiring personal stories. I then found out she is a Christian, lives in Gig Harbor Washington by where my grandparents lived/dad grew up, and has wonderful stationery too. I think you would really enjoy her style if you haven’t already seen in your local gift shop/card store.
Gail says
I love to cut up a plate of colorful veggies, add some hummus and other yummy things and spontaneously invite a few neighbors or friends over in the late afternoon…..sitting in the backyard with the sound of the little pond and the crack of a baseball bat from the park behind our house. It feels like I belong on the cover of the Junior League Cookbook and oh so chic!
Years ago my hubby was at a church committee meeting on ‘how to build community in your neighborhood’ and he came back home to this exact scene. I remember later he said ‘Well, I guess I didnt need to go to a meeting on how to do this’. We both laughed so hard! It just makes me feel chic when my pretty stuff is on the table and everyone is enjoying themselves!
Hope Stewart says
I switch to Jo Malone Beach Blossom perfume. Serve more salads as meals and fresh cut fruit. Grow as much basil as possible. Spend my mornings watering flowers.
Mix and Match Mama says
I have this in the travel size and it smells SO GOOD!
Jeanne says
I love this idea! I feel summer chic when I have fresh flowers from my yard or the farmers mkt. We have friends over for wine & snacks on our screened in porch. That’s “chic”, right? And, definitely, swapping out heavy throw blankets & switching pillow covers for the season make it feel more summer chic in my house!
This was such a fun post!
Whitney Schultz says
Love this! The Orlando humidity will really try to breakdown the chicness for sure!!
This one is silly but I turn the ceiling fan on in more parts of our home because it just makes it seem fresher (and cooler).
But changing the scents for sure! We add so much more fish in the summer with salads to lighten the plate! And water with special or fruit tastes so much better!!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I wear 100% cotton, gauzy and linen fabrics. I cannot stand anything that sticks to me or that requires a slip or camisole! I also love my claw clips to pull my hair off my neck on a humid day.
Debra says
Great post – some of mine are –
Farmers Markets and U-Pick farms are on our agenda for the freshest veggies, fruit and flowers. Love strolling through a farmers market and spending a few hours at the U-pick farms.
Freezer Jam – we pick fruit at the U-pick and process it the same day. Every time we eat it, it brings back a bit of summer.
Hanging Baskets – we love hanging flower baskets for the front of our house in the summer.
Summer Napkins – we use white plates all year long and I change then napkins with the season.
Summer Soaps and Scents – we change out by the season.
Clothes- looser and lighter for summer temps
Purses – summery purses are on repeat right now!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for sharing your list, Debra! I love it! Homemade jam is certainly a summer chic detail. I should have added that one myself!
Cathrine Nordby Holte says
Hi Shay, long time reader but never left a reply. Too shy ☺️. Fiona has her own blog and going through a difficult time the last year. The blog is named howtobechic.com . Greetings from a Norwegian living in The Netherlands.
Mix and Match Mama says
I know. I have been praying for her!!