July Notes…Summer’s in Full Swing

Summer is essentially in full swing which for me means spending more time outdoors, planning easy alfresco dinners, and taking the time to read and unwind. Specifically, I’ve got these things on my mind…

I went on a girls trip to Napa a couple of weeks ago (details on that coming soon!) and one of the wineries we visited, Frank Family Vineyards had these hanging rattan chairs on their porch. They looked so inviting, we couldn’t resist trying them out. I’m glad we did. I can attest that they’re not only attractive, but also quite comfortable. I would love to find a way to work them into my own backyard. As an adult, it’s easy to forget how enjoyable it is to sit in a swing. It takes relaxing to a new level. Love these!

The In Goop Health summit in June set off a trigger of new interests in wellness for me. My next adventure will be something I can delve a little deeper into, like this Wanderlust Squaw Valley get away. Yoga, meditation, organic dinners, music, lectures, workshops and outdoor activities…sign me up!

This summer, my clothing obsession is dresses. It seems as if the variety of options is greater than in previous years. I’m collecting as many as I can, particularly mid-length and with sleeves. They fit perfectly in to the ease of one-and-done dressing and will carry me right through fall, if not year round. I love these pretty florals from Ulla Johnson, Elizabeth and James, and A.L.C. , and these updates on the classic shirt dress, in white, from Rag & Bone, Joseph, Co, and Brock Collection.

The perfect summer scent. Accurately described as the “aroma of heat against cool, damp air, pale sun and new life awakening on the forest floor”. Believe me, it’s good. I bought the perfume first a few weeks ago and had to follow-up with the candle.  Mild, fresh and earthy…I love it.

I grew up wearing huaraches all summer, so seeing them now, made even better and more comfortable by Beek, takes me on a trip down memory lane and just makes me happy. It’s a tough choice deciding between classic tan or metallic silver. Both are good.

I’m looking forward to spending time this month unplugging a bit more and taking the time to read a couple of books. My book club chose Rachel Kadish’s The Weight of Ink:

“Set in London of the 1660s and of the early twenty-first century, The Weight of Ink is the interwoven tale of two women of remarkable intellect: Ester Velasquez, an emigrant from Amsterdam who is permitted to scribe for a blind rabbi, just before the plague hits the city; and Helen Watt, an ailing historian with a love of Jewish history.”

I’m also going to finally read Miracle Morning, which I’ve had for several months, and The Tools, which was given to attendees of the In Goop Health event.

And lastly, summer entertaining at its simplest. What could be easier than a cheese and charcuterie board  loaded with the season’s best, lined down the center of a table? With a rosé or Negroni on the side, it doesn’t get much better than that.