It’s hard to believe that July 4th is just a little over a week away, which always signals to me that it’s time to start living up the long days. June is usually all about getting ready for summer, especially at the cabin – seeding the lawn, deciding whether to invest in a new fun toy (will we really use a kayak?), stocking up the pantry and organizing the entertaining calendar. My mom and I often joke that just as you feel like you are ready for summer, you start to feel like you need to wind down from it. But not in July. July is for fun and hot weather and hosting guests and relaxing. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite picks for the upcoming weekends, and July 4th in particular, for hosting and hanging out in style and comfort.
Gap pajamas: Love the stars, and love how if I buy them for Taylor they can easily be passed down to Ella. We spend a LOT of time in PJs at that cabin, so especially if we’re hosting overnight guests, I like to have a few darling options for the kiddos. | Boden tennis top: Taylor loves sports-themed shirts, and Boden comes through with great ones every season. | Boden dress: Cute dresses are always an easy sell for Ella, and the fish on this dress look similar to the “sunnies” we catch at the lake. | Pottery Barn burlap stars: Especially when entertaining, hanging items such as these burlap stars or paper lanterns really make the space special. | Melange Home throws: We are lucky to have several lovely antique blankets and handmade quilts at the cabin, but it’s also good to have some store bought ones that people feel more comfortable grabbing when sitting by the fire or when heading out on the pontoon for an evening ride. | Pottery Barn pillow: The sweatshirt material on this pillow and the faded flag gives it a vintage feel. | FitFlop sandals: I like the extra support of the FitFlop sandal, and always am on the lookout for sandals that have a dark colored base – feet get awfully dirty after a day at the cabin and white or light colored sandals just don’t make sense. | J Crew cover up: I’m starting to think that you never can have too many great cover ups. They often take me from morning to night. | Ann Taylor swimsuit: I have this suit and love it (after trying on many one-piece options). A bikini may be okay at the beginning of a holiday weekend, but toward the latter days and following lots of indulging, a great one piece is a must. ( : | Pottery Barn beverage dispenser (I use this all the time when entertaining – it makes guests feel welcome to help themselves and displays specialty drinks in an impactful way), melamine dinnerware (love this material for outdoor entertaining) and soda crates – a.k.a. pop crates if in the Midwest – these are a great way for guests to grab what they would like to eat and head to a place of their choosing to enjoy.
