Summer is my favorite season. I will forever be a summer girl. The weather is warm, everyone seems to be in a good mood, there’s a happy vibe in the air. Not to mention summer is beach season. Need I say more? So how do we romanticize the heck out of summer and soak up every last drop of sunshine-filled goodness? Keep reading for some fun ideas to make this your most magical summer yet.
Visit a farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are becoming more and more popular and for good reason. They allow you to have first choice of all the delicious summer bounty. You’ll usually pay a little less than you would pay at the supermarket because you’re buying direct from the farmer with no middleman. You are supporting your neighbors and local businesses.
Really get into romanticizing your visit. Don’t roll up in yoga pants with a hole in the knee and a twenty-year-old T-shirt. No, channel your inner French girl. Put on a beautiful sundress, a flowy skirt with a fitted top, or a shorts set that shows off your gorgeous gams. Put on a chic straw hat, some strappy leather sandals, and a pair of oversized sunglasses. And don’t forget your big wicker bag or canvas tote for carrying around all of your purchases.
Take your time while you’re there. Go through all of the different stalls. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells. Talk to the vendors. Find out where their farms are located. Discuss ideas for recipes using the ingredients they’re selling. They are a great source of inspiration and information.
A few years ago, I purchased some peaches from my local farmer’s market. The farmer taught me a little culinary hack–boil the peaches for a few minutes and then dunk them immediately in ice water. This makes removing the peels so much easier. I never would have known that if I hadn’t talked to him. On a side note, those peaches made the best peach cobbler I have ever made.
Farmer’s markets are great for purchasing in-season fruits and veggies such as heirloom tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, peaches, and all kinds of berries. But many markets also have vendors for items such as fresh flowers, homemade soaps and candles, locally sourced honey, and more.
Can you imagine yourself there now–strolling through the market in your elegant outfit, stopping at each stand to inspect the produce, chatting with your neighbors? Visiting a farmer’s market is all about slowing down and appreciating what’s in front of you. Even if you only buy one or two things, the experience will make you feel more connected to your life and to your community. Make plans to visit your local market soon.
Choose a theme for the summer. Have you ever heard of Tomato Girl Summer or Coastal Granddaughter Summer? These were trends on social media in recent years. The Tomato Girl Summer theme was all about the Italian countryside lifestyle–linen pants, gauzy white shirts, and planting and harvesting your own vegetables in your garden. The Coastal Granddaughter Summer was more about an Eastern Coast chic lifestyle.
Having a theme for the summer may seem a little silly at first, but it can completely change the way you experience the season. A summer theme encourages you to slow down, make intentional choices, and fully embrace the kind of life you want to create.
You can choose a theme based on a location. Think An Amalfi Coast Summer, A Coastal Cali Summer, A Hamptons Summer, or a Hawaiian Island Summer. Or your theme might be a little more broad. Maybe A Summer of Joy, A Cottagecore Summer, or A Summer of Creativity.
Once you have your theme picked out, start making concrete plans for how to make it come to life. Make a mood board on Pinterest or cut out pictures from magazines.
Once you have your theme picked out, start making concrete plans for how to make it come to life. Make a mood board on Pinterest or cut out pictures from magazines. How will you make your vision come to life?
For example, I would love to have a French Riviera Summer. When I think of the French Riviera, I think of Grace Kelley in To Catch a Thief. I think of elegant French ladies wearing beautiful sundresses, strappy leather sandals, and silk scarves in their hair. I think of enjoying a cocktail on your balcony before dinner. I think of seafood and summer salads and pastas. I think of spending weekends at farmer’s markets and driving around the coast soaking in the views. I think of elegance, laid-back luxury, and coastal charm.
Now, I don’t live anywhere near the French Riviera. However, I can bring elements of the French Riviera into my summer. I can wear sundresses and silk scarves. I can enjoy cocktails on my patio before dinner. I can research recipes and make French inspired seafood and pasta dishes. I can spend my weekend at my local farmer’s market or driving around taking in the sights and sounds around me. It may not be the coast, but there’s beauty to be found everywhere. I can bring the vibes of elegance, laid-back luxury, and coastal charm into my life with some intentional choices.
Think about the candles you light in the evenings, the flowers you plant in your porch pots, the music you play while cleaning the house, the activities you plan with friends, the drinks you mix up on hot afternoons, and even the way you plate and serve your meals.
The little things matter more than you think. They help turn ordinary moments into experiences that feel beautiful, intentional, and memorable. Your theme can weave its way into every corner of your life, creating a season that feels immersive and magical. There are endless ways to bring the essence of your summer theme into your everyday routines and fully embrace the vibe you want to create.
I hope you enjoyed these ideas for romanticizing your summer. Stay tuned for Part 2 for more ideas!