This summer, I made a decision: to edit the season consciously. To find small, intentional moments that shift the rhythm, even when the baseline is chaos. Not by overhauling my life, but by layering in pleasures that feel effortless (or at least achievable).
Here’s what’s made this season feel slightly more cinematic - in a "this could be a scene from a quietly stylish European film" kind of way, not a montage with fireworks.
1. 3–10–20: the workout that tricks me into consistency
Walk at 3.2 mph for 20 minutes on a 10 % incline. That’s it. Twenty minutes feels manageable - I can do anything for twenty minutes, I remind myself. It's not revolutionary, but it feels doable, even on days when everything else is noise. The incline makes it just hard enough to matter, without requiring outfit changes or motivational speeches. It's become a surprisingly grounding ritual.
2. Drinking water before I feel dehydrated
Two liters across the day - not at bedtime, not out of guilt, but because it actually helps. A glass on the bedside table, another on the bathroom countertop (I sip it while I do my skincare – you can find my full routine here), a third beside whatever book I’m carrying from room to room. My energy is steadier, my skin is calmer, and I don’t end the day feeling like I’ve been running on espresso and autopilot.
3. Summer reading that’s unapologetically enjoyable
I’ve paused the "serious" nonfiction and cultural analysis in favor of stories that are atmospheric, romantic, and well-written. Books that ask nothing of me but to enjoy them. They’re perfect in short bursts between naps and errands, and remind me that reading can be purely for pleasure.
Recent favorites:
In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer - Fast-paced and flirty with just the right amount of tension.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach - My favorite of the bunch. Wry humor, an unexpected setting, and lead characters you can imagine vividly, especially the cat.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune - All about longing and summers past.
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune - Warm, nostalgic, and perfectly escapist.
4. Dressing like the season I want to be in
This summer I’m wearing soft peaches and seashell pinks - light, breathable fabrics that feel like an exhale. They’re not mood-lifting in a "look at me" way—more in a "I remembered myself today" way.
It lifts my mood and reminds me that while I’m often a "practical clothes" mom, I’m also a stylish woman who likes to get dressed and feel pretty. And really, we could all use that gentle reminder sometimes.
5. Late‑day rendezvous
Around five-thirty, if the childcare and the calendar align, I slip into one of those peachy-colored tops, and my husband and I head out for a quick date. We’ve been carving out early evening moments at our favorite neighborhood spots - just a glass of wine, maybe two small plates, and that post-heat haze light.
It’s not about extravagance - it’s about the rhythm. The pause. The reminder that connection can feel elegant even in brief moments. And somehow, forty-five minutes is enough.
6. Moments of indulgence - no justification required
The other day, I shared a perfectly made chocolate melt cookie with my three-year-old. No lesson, no negotiation - just sweetness shared in real time. He was happy, I was quietly delighted, and when he offered me the last bite (and this boy loves his sugar), I felt my eyes sting a little. It felt unquestionably worthwhile to break the rules for a fleeting moment like that.
7. Fruit as a love language
I’ve been buying more ripe, in-season fruit - black plums, nectarines, and anything tropical enough to hint at a vacation in Thailand. Bonus points if I cut it up right away so it’s ready to go: a snack, a healthy dessert, or just something beautiful to eat in the afternoon sun.
I'm reminded of effortlessness - because lo and behold, apparently my kids love something healthy that we can all share. Isn't that lovely?
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The Beauty in Small Things
We don't have to reinvent anything to collect sweet summer memories; we can simply soften the edges and notice, with intention, the moments we're already moving through.
I've been loving these past few weeks, swapping big goals and the search for monumental moments for quiet pleasures that feel within reach, even when the day is messy or loud.
If this resonates, I'd love for you to subscribe, and now it's your turn: what small - perhaps seemingly trivial - things are making your days better?