Summer is that one season we all try to hold on to for as long as possible. For me, it brings a spirit of freedom that’s left over from my childhood. Maintaining that feeling of an endless summer is easier than you think, so today I’m giving you some examples of how I do it.
1. Laugh and sing with friends. My closest friends are never far away – especially in summer. All those extra hours of daylight mean more time for running around like fools and laughing until we cry. Even after the sun goes down and the days get shorter, the guitar comes our and the laughter continues into the night.
2. Dress down. Board shorts and flip-flops – summer style at its best. Even when it gets a little cooler in the evening, slip on the flip-flops to get that relaxed feeling of not having to worry about changing clothes the rest of the day.
3. Create a perfect playlist. Forget the hottest hits on the radio – my summer playlist is all about the songs of summers gone by. It’s a tossed salad of Ben Harper, Bob Marley, The Cars and some classic Van Halen. But really, anytime of the year is right for kicking back with a speaker and tunes.
4. Tantalize the tastebuds. The savories that quench my thirst are mason jars of sweet tea with a sprig of mint. For a snack, the juicy decadence of chilled watermelon sliced thick is second only to the explosive thrill of frozen grapes.
5. Punch up the colors. Even in the dead of winter, you’ll find summer colors around my house. It could be a hibiscus plant I tend to all season or some orange and red pillows that evoke that carefree spirit of summer. Whatever you do, make it colorful and fill your home with it.
6. Seek out water. Everyday it can be a party in the summer if there’s a body of water nearby. There really is nothing like the glimmer of water at the golden hour on a sunset boat ride with friends. To unwind, an early-morning walk around a lake does the trick for me.
How do you push the summer season to the limits? Leave your ideas in the comments below.
Photos courtesy of Ty Pennington and Stephanie Todaro
