family

{The stunning Mendocino Coast at Fort Bragg from a trip many years ago.}

Summer officially begins in just a couple of days {June 20th, to be exact}. With the days becoming warmer and staying bright longer, it’s making me excited to spend the next few months waking up with the sun, dining al fresco, and snacking on berries and tropical fruits all day long. While I don’t have any major summer vacation plans this year, I’m excited to spend the hottest days of the year lazily by the {saltwater} pool, relaxing indoors in air-conditioned comfort {preferably with a snuggly Chihuahua or a purring kitten on my lap}, and making weekend trips to the river or lake, wine country, or a beachy town. And still having a summer vacation like I did as a kid just makes me even more nostalgic for a season that was never my favorite {aka, spring & fall}.

With summer beginning this Friday, I’m sharing a few of the things I’d like to accomplish before the leaves begin to turn gold. And for more seasonal inspiration, here are my past seasonal to-do lists.

Summer To-Do List

1. Plan a trip to the beach.

2. Go to a concert in the park.

3. Attend a flower arranging + floral infused food and cocktail making class {or have a DIY version of it at home one afternoon}.

4. Go to a drive-in theater with burgers, fries, and milkshakes for an old-fashioned style dinner and a movie date.

5. Plan a picnic at the beach or a park.

6. Have an at-home spa day.

7. Have a weekly Taco Tuesday night {bonus points for virgin margaritas}.

8. Spend more time on my new hobby: drawing.

9. Start my mornings with an energizing yoga sequence.

10. Make desserts with summer berries from the farmers market every weekend.

x Paris

{A sunset-hued rose + late afternoon sunlight.}

Editor’s Note: With my upcoming birthday and the semester ending soon, I will be taking a short break to celebrate properly and wrap up the school year. I will be back on June 10th with plenty of new content. x

When I was in high school, our college and career center had a sign that said: “The days are long but the years are short.” At seventeen, I understood what the quote was saying, yet I didn’t get it. But, at thirty-five, I get it.

The days are long: As I get closer to summer vacation, I understand that it will be here before I know it even when it feels a million miles away from me.

And the years are short: Because when I remember high school, I realize it was half my life ago even though it sometimes feels as if it was just yesterday.

With yet another year flying by {how are we already over five months into the new year, or um, rather should I just say year?}, I’m striving to truly savor each day. Because the days are long even if the years go by far too quickly. This weekend I plan to celebrate Mother’s Day by going to brunch with my son, and spending time with all three of my boys. And I’m excited to head to San Francisco to celebrate my birthday next week. I hope you have a great one as well and I’ll see you back here next month! x