Summer thrills me.

And even though it technically doesn’t start for another few weeks, we’ve had some perfect summer days mixed in lately with our misty spring ones.

I used to be a fairly “inside” soul – aside from the occasional bike ride as a kid or marathon training run as an adult, I preferred mostly to stick to activities you could do indoors (I was always the bookworm/arts&crafts type). But I pretty much live for the long days & warm weather right now.  I guess it helps that Colorado is low on both humidity & mosquitoes.

Summer is eating on the patio, long evening walks, afternoons reading by the pool & escaping to the mountains on the weekends.  Summer is smelling like campfire.  Or aloe, if you’re anything like me and my pasty Irish ancestry.  Summer is farmer’s markets & frozen yogurt.  Summer is grilling every night for dinner and mixing up fruity cocktails on a Wednesday, just because.  Summer is living adventures & making time for getaways.

Oh, how summer thrills me.

Chime in guys, what’s your favorite thing about summertime?

 

Image by Annabelle Mintz

 

Filed in:Happiness
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  • Christie JonesJune 6, 2013 - 2:35 pm

    I grew up on Long Island and my dad was a clammer – yes, he got paid to dig clams outta the ocean floor…still blows my mind. So summer = boats, beaches, sand in your hair, sand in your sandwich, pool parties, tan lines, and family.

    I moved to Syracuse 2.5 years ago – which is landlocked. There are lakes, but I’m a beach girl. It’s been a unique and interesting journey relearning what summer is. It’s kind of bittersweet.ReplyCancel

  • RachelJune 7, 2013 - 9:37 am

    I love the way you’ve edited that picture! What a lovely summery post…. totally relate with the aloe smell, I frazzle even under clouds! But despite that, I love that feeling of when you have been outside all day and your skin feels all tight and your eyes feel tired… I only wish we had more summer in the UK! xxReplyCancel

  • Annabelle MintzJune 7, 2013 - 2:35 pm

    Christie – that is so cool! I get what you mean about moving to a land-locked place…I came from living basically right on Lake Michigan in Illinois to Colorado, where there is no water to be found. Not quite the same, but I definitely miss the sand this time of year!ReplyCancel

  • Annabelle MintzJune 7, 2013 - 2:39 pm

    Rachel – Thank you! I totally agree – summer is never long enough 🙂ReplyCancel

My friends are on their honeymoon this week, and it’s making me reminisce about our little beach getaway – actually, I’m thinking a repeat might be in order!

Anaeho’omalu Bay, or A’ Bay as it’s called for short, was a few minutes from where we stayed, and we often came here to watch the sun set.  They rope off the parking lot at sunset, so it was always a little bit of a race against the security guy to make it back up to our car.  Good thing Hawaiians are laid back about things like when exactly the parking lot should be closed.

This beach has actually changed pretty dramatically in the recent years – originally the Hawaiian kings had created an inland pool behind the beach which they used as an aquarium of sorts, where they would keep tropical salt-water fish. Is that not so cool? It amazes me the innovations that people come up with.

Unfortunately, when Japan had those big earthquakes in April 2011, huge waves made it all the way to the Big Island and broke the beach/dam.  We were initially quite confused by our guide books and why there seemed to be such a discrepancy in the map, but that explains it! Now instead of walking straight across the beach, you have to detour around the old fish ponds.  In the photo below, we’re standing behind the fish ponds, and you can see what’s left of the beach dam, and the ocean in the distance.

There’s nothing quite like the sound of the ocean and the way the sun sets over the water!  We’re hoping to make it to the water this summer, but if not, I think the mountains will still keep us pretty busy here in Colorado.

Where is your favorite place to watch the sun set?

Filed in:Travel

This last week was a total whirl-wind (and to look at my apartment right now, you’d definitely be able to tell). And yet despite all the stress & constant going, it was full of a lot of pretty moments.

1. Proof that I snack like a two-year old.

2. Finally seeing a flowering tree here in the Springs; I had thought this crazy weather had killed them all.

3. Throwing a bachelorette party extravaganza for my lovely bestie & being totally in love with how the flower arrangements turned out (it’s the little things).

4. Working on the next edition of AdventureWear and looking through my old stamp collection.

5. Some Velvet Elvis pancakes at Snooze, one of the tastiest breakfast spots in Denver.

6. And finally, getting to stand as maid of honor in this amazing couple’s wedding – what a beautiful & precious day!

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, now that a few huge projects are off my back – now I’m ready to enjoy the summer and begin the hunt for our new apartment! Bring it on, sunshine!

Looking for more moments of pretty? Follow me on Instagram!

Filed in:Life

Thanks, to all who paid a forever price – we won’t forget you.

Here’s to summer, to freedom, and to memories.

Filed in:Inspiration | Life

Looked for a minute like we had skipped spring and waltzed right into summer here in Colorado, but the rain is back! Not that I am complaining, let’s be clear – I’d rather like to avoid half our state being on fire again this year.  But the snow came late enough and the heat came early enough that our flowering trees skipped straight to leaves (sad face).  Well, if you’re off somewhere that has a rainy spring, here are a few things that play well in the rain & pack well too:

1. Everyone loves Hunter for all things rain boot – but big heavy rubber things are the last thing you want to lug around an airport.  These flats would do the job in much less space.

2. A canvas tote is one of my travel staples – easy to roll up inside your other bags when it’s empty, and then just pop it out and fill it up when you’re on the road.  I love my maptote, and I actually use the Chicago version as my everyday bag – now they have a sweet Colorado design!

3. Let’s be honest, it’s hard to find rain gear that looks cool – that’s why I generally try to avoid it.  An army-style jacket a la J. Crew is a classic light layer that would serve well on the road & at home.

4. When traveling with an umbrella, it’s imperative that it wraps up into a small package.  This one from C. Wonder is classic but still provides a little bit of visual interest.

5. When it’s dreary and drizzly out, a pop of color is a must.  I will say that I’ve had nail polish taken away from me at airport security for being a “hazardous material,” so just to be safe – paint those nails before you leave home.  Preferably in a nice spring shade of peachy coral like Essie’s Tart Deco.

Full disclosure: I’m not at this time using any affiliate links, nor is this a sponsored post – these are all just pretty things that I happen to be loving at the moment.

Filed in:Style | Travel

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