When does summer begin? My 5 year old debates this and so we go around the heralds of holidays and school ends. By the solstice thankfully there is no debate left — just stone fruit in full swing, aster abuzz with butterflies, and tree frogs croaking in our cool succulents’ earth down here in San Diego. It means the annual Nile flood in Egypt, Midnight baseball games in Alaska, and the time when any kind of magic is believed to be most potent.
Charkiderie
“Charkiderie” as I call it, kids charcuterie platters, is a weekend family favorite that is now becoming a daily summer repeat. When everyone wants heavy afternoon snacks but we don’t want to ruin dinner (or maybe we do because that gets us to ice cream quicker?), I set out a big tray of anything and everything (think the ends of the cracker package and softening watermelon) and I’m off call till dark.

Solstice Skylights
The Summer Solstice also means my skylight better be ready to work. I love skylights: they are wondrously mote-filled and dreamy but 15 hours of daylight is nothing to play with if you cherish sleep. I just charged my motorized bedroom skylight shade so that we won’t get any surprises.
Beach Please
Endless summer vibes! Our team weighed in on the sunny season and their favorite ways to spend their days.

From Your Lips
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with how everything turned out. From start to finish, the process was easy and smooth. Ordering was simple, chatting with a rep was helpful, and our samples arrived quickly, along with answers to all our questions. When the final order came, everything fit perfectly and was much easier to install than we imagined. The view through my windows makes me smile every time, and now with these beautiful, well-made blinds, I honestly couldn’t be happier.”
Kathy from Illinois

Shade of the Season
Blindsgalore Luxera Roller Shades in Deep Sea
Misty, moody, and effortlessly coastal. Deep Sea draws its inspiration from the shifting tides and stillness below the surface. This rich, oceanic blue carries hints of slate and storm, grounding your space with depth and calm.
More on the Blog
When I think of summer, I think of lazy days spent at the beach or in the park enjoying the sunshine and the kiss of warmth these months bring. Here in California, we enjoy many days like this, but if your summer is like the majority of the country, those warm sunny days fall far too short each year. I love all seasons but the call of warmth and waves tend to be the inspiration for my personal décor. If you’re like me and want year round summer, I have a few favorite shades that are great for summer, but cantransition into the other seasons and maybe even bring some of that bright, sunshiny feel with them. [read more…]