No matter whether there are grey clouds in the sky right now where you are or the most beautiful sunshine kisses your skin:
We can decide right here, right now that it’s summer from now on, right?
Where I am it is understandably not that hard:
We are on the beach every day, ride in the car with the windows open and music turned up, try new types of ice cream, buy strawberries by the pound at the farmers’ market and watch "Dog whisperer" in the evenings in bed; Pauline generally falls asleep doing so and will surely make every mistake possible in terms of future dog training.
How did Pauline end up here with us?
I can explain this in an instant:
When I saw her picture on Instagram recently, I spontaneously invited her to come and she booked a flight without hesitation.
(afterwards it occurred to me that I knew Pauline only by sight and we had never before exchanged a whole sentence – but by then it was already too late.)
Pauline brought even more laughter and summer with her than we had had already and we won’t ever let her go.
Yet since I can hardly invite all my readers, I will tell you 10 other ideas to create a “Summer! Now!” feeling.
1. Summer granola.
Every time we prepare our own granola we are once more surprised how quickly and easily it is accomplished and how yummy it tastes.
This granola definitely tastes of summer and beach – light, crunchy and fruity!
The kids love it!
All you have to do is mix the ingredients and put them in the oven on a cookie sheet.
2. Flea market.
The season is already in full swing, so better get up early on Saturdays and Sundays, grab a coffee-to-go and go on a stress-free outdoor treasure hunt:
Accessories like brooches, vintage prints or maps for framing, or simply books to take on vacation (which you can then leave behind and don’t have to lug back again).
By the way, you can read HERE how to snatch up the best flea market bargains.
3. Picnic in the park.
In this case the simplest version:
blanket + strawberries + baguette + cheese + hard cider.
All this is packed up in a few minutes (if the refrigerator is empty, simply buy everything in the grocery store on the way), and even if you would rather lie down on the couch in the evening – a quick picnic outside simultaneously recharges and relaxes you, you will see!
4. Flowers.
Even if it is grey and dull outside: just one single fragrant peony on the table will brighten everything.
It will, of course, be in the small vase you found at the flea market on the weekend ;).
5. Buy strawberries, rhubarb and asparagus galore.
The season is short and there is a huge selection of delicious sweet fruit and mild asparagus at the farmers’ markets right now!
The strawberries will be eaten on the spot or blended to make strawberry ice cream (even without an ice-cream maker) or strawberry coconut ice cream.
There will be pasta with asparagus for lunch or asparagus salad with strawberries and pine nuts.
And in the evenings you will drink to the successful day with homemade rhubarb syrup (topped with champagne or sparkling water).
6. Body spray.
A must-see for the girls was, of course, Victoria’s Secret; luckily you can also order the deliciously scented body spray via Amazon (HERE).
Scrumptious!
7. Summer dress with happiness factor.
Isn’t the perfect summer dress one that is airy, delicate, drapey and a little dreamy?
I bought this one by Anthropologie, and it is honestly 10 times nicer than on the picture!
I will show it to you another time.
8. Movie theater.
A beautiful, funny and deep movie based on a true story:
Woman in Gold is absolutely worth seeing (about 12 years and up) – not only on rainy days.
Jil and I enjoyed it very much; it will be in theaters in Germany from June 4, so make sure to put it in your calendar now!
9. Summer play list.
Folding laundry, driving or taking pictures – everything is so much easier when listening to good music!
In case you haven’t yet compiled a summer play list, you can either get inspired by my California play list – or else I’d be happy to give you a few ideas, just let me know in the comments.
10. Summer decoration.
If I had a house, these pillows by Tommy Hilfiger would probably adorn the couch: they are simple, pretty and yet summery.
Unfortunately do I neither have a house nor a couch – and by the look of it, it will take another while, because - as is the case with all construction sites – everything always takes longer than assumed.
So we have to hold out a little longer in California – tough blow of fate, but we will hang on tight ;).
It seems that we have the longest summer of our lives ahead of us…
Sommermüsli mit Kirschen und Kokos.
3 Becher Haferflocken
1 1/2 Becher gehackte Mandeln (und ein paar ganze, wenn ihr diese mögt)
1/2 Becher Sonnenblumenkerne
1 Becher Kokosflocken
1 Becher umgesüßte Kokosflakes (gibt es im Supermarkt oder bei Amazon)
2 TL Zimt
1/2 TL Meersalz
3/4 Becher Ahornsirup (oder Honig)
1/2 Becher Olivenöl oder Kokosöl - dieses muss man zuerst leicht erhitzen, damit es flüssig ist)
3/4 Becher getrocknete Kirschen
Den Backofen auf 150° vorheizen.
Alle Zutaten trockenen Zutaten bis auf die Kirschen und die Kokosflakes gut vermischen, alle flüssigen Zutaten in einer extra Schüssel ebenso mischen.
Beides vermengen, auf dem Backblech flach ausbreiten, ca. 40 Min. goldbraun backen, wobei man alle 10 Min. alles gut umrührt.
Auskühlen lassen, mit den Kirschen und den Kokosflocken vermischen.
Cherry and coconut summer granola.
3 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups chopped almonds (plus some whole ones, if you like)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup unsweetened coconut chips (available in grocery stores or at Amazon)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)
1/2 cup olive oil or coconut oil – you have to gently heat it so that it is liquid)
3/4 cup dried cherries
Preheat oven to 300°.
Mix all ingredients well except for the cherries and the coconut chips; also mix all liquid ingredients in another bowl.
Mix the two together, spread onto a cookie sheet and bake for about 40 minutes until golden brown, while stirring everything well every 10 minutes.
Let cool, then mix with cherries and coconut chips.
What defines your ultimate summer feeling?
Love,
Joanna
p.s. The images show Noelle and her board, of course – I will show you Pauline another time ;).
Translated by Ginnell Studio.
you have done good job its really informative for me.
AntwortenLöschenfit and flare black dress