midsummer, two ways.

July 24, 2017

First of all, I’d like to mention that I’m on a personal campaign to resurrect the sunflower from its position as pedestrian second fiddle to all of summertime’s more fashionable fleurs. Sure, they bring to mind printed sundresses from the mid-90s, but look at them! So earnest and sunny and tall! Surely there’s a way a stem or two thoughtfully arranged could make an artful minimalist ode to summer. Surely a whole pitcher of them wouldn’t be so bad either. Bonus for city dwellers, they’re always among the few flowers at the corner stalls that don’t come wrapped in plastic. Live and let sunflower, I say. And without further ado, a few other ways to soak up summer, now that we’re in the thick of it. 

Sort through your summery closet, two ways:
+ Toss your whites and brights into this lidded basket.
+ Now is the time to take stock. What did you love wearing this summer? What haven’t you touched? Why? Consider it.

Get yourself dewy skin, two ways:
+ Treat yourself to a mini facial.
+ Take a short run on a humid afternoon. Revel in the miracle of your muscles.

Drink chilled wine outdoors, two ways:
+ Slip a bottle of rosé into this pouch with this cool pack. Proceed to park.
+ Scrape the last remaining bit of worn-off label from your 10-year-old cooler pack. Remember why you gave up last time. Double-down on the elbow grease and finish triumphant. 

Stock up at the local farmers’ market, two ways:
+ Invest in a market basket. Make your first stop the sun gold tomatoes.
+ Spot clean your existing basket with hot water, a little soap, and a stiff brush. Dry upside down in the sunshine. Head to the raspberry stand.

Eat a watermelon, two ways:
+
Find an old-timey spigot. Fashion yourself a watermelon keg.
+
Cut a big one into slices. Sit yourself in some green grass with a friend. See who can spit the seeds the farthest.

Enjoy your ice cream, two ways:
+ Save pennies for the pretty fridge of your dreams.
+ Take a soapy sponge to the inside of your freezer. Relish the gleam every time you reach for an ice cube.

Take care of your hair, two ways:
+ Give it a good comb through. Repair with a moisturizing mask. Channel your inner mermaid.
+ Clean out your hairbrush. All the way.

Let your toes breathe, two ways:
+ Slip on a pretty pair of summertime slides.
+ Kick your shoes off altogether. (First one to walk across the gravel driveway without grimacing wins.)

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11 Comments

  • Reply Natalie July 24, 2017 at 11:37 am

    I love this post because you take into account of both sides. I’m going to be taking a run in the humid weather now haha.
    Thanks for the post!

  • Reply Heather July 24, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    Lovely, lovely! So tempted by those slides! 🙂

  • Reply SEM July 24, 2017 at 2:15 pm

    Love these. I was thinking about your minimalist life hacks/green living posts (and the things you shared in your book). I wondered if you’d ever consider a household inventory post. When I was doing my weekend cabinet purge, I kept wondering what a minimalist medicine cabinet, pantry, and supply area might look like. My thought was …What if a skilled minimalist shared their inventories, I could see where I might slow down or pare back. I’m sure you are guided in part by your journey to reduce waste and I imagine the average consumer could benefit from a side by side of your essentials vs our idea of ‘essentials’.

  • Reply Lanen July 24, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    I, too, dream of the clean white Smeg fridge one day gracing my kitchen with its beauty, though it is far beyond the budget of this humble renter. My one qualm is the visible branding. Even when it’s pretty, I’m anti-branding all the way, no exceptions.

  • Reply Alix July 25, 2017 at 7:24 am

    Must ask: where is your gorgeous woven tote from?

    Complaint: it’s nearly impossible to find seeded watermelon anymore!

    • Reply ERIN BOYLE July 25, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Agreed! Though I usually have luck at the farmers’ market once the melons are in!

  • Reply Alix July 25, 2017 at 7:30 am

    Ah, never mind, I see you’ve directed us to the tote info!

  • Reply Archana July 25, 2017 at 11:45 am

    Erin,

    A random question.

    You are a blogger and your write about minimalism. How do you resist the temptation of acquiring props and things that you can justify as ‘its my job’ ?

    ( Some context : I was chatting with my friend who is a fashion blogger. She gets packages everyday and buy-cull’s clothes like nobody else I know. She justifies it all by saying it’s her job to sell clothing and be an influencer. )

    • Reply ERIN BOYLE July 25, 2017 at 11:57 am

      Hi! I admit that I’m really not that tempted by things that I can’t use myself or that would just clutter my space (that’s why you see so many of the identical items in my posts instead of lots of new props)! A part of my job is to work with brands, but if I ever work on a story about an item that I don’t have the room to keep myself, I either pass it back to the company or pass it along to someone else who can better put it to use!

      • Reply Archana July 27, 2017 at 12:19 am

        I know ! You seem to do a wonderful job keeping the photos beautiful, simple and prop free. It’s very inspiring. Admire what you have done with your blog.

  • Reply Roina July 26, 2017 at 9:22 am

    Love the hairbrush tip!

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