Sunday, June 3, 2012

June! A List to Celebrate



June!
I still remember it.  The feeling of the last day of school.  Three whole months stretching out before me like a yellow brick road, disappearing in the rosy haze of a summer sun.  How much longer those three months seemed back then.  
Now that I’m an adult, well sort of, I can see serious September sitting at the end of the summer pathway.  I know she travels faster than she did when I was small.  She'll be here before I know it.
But still.    There is just something about the closing of those school doors and the first morning in the month of June.  Don’t you feel it, too?  A certain freedom, a collective sigh?  I say goodbye to boots and wiggle my bare toes in hot sand.  My hair goes up and my heart rate goes down.  Food is from the garden and so are the flowers that fill each room - gardenias, hydrangeas and roses.  Even the music that dances through the house changes as I listen to Astrid Gilberto and Erik Satie.  
I still see summer as a holiday and try to celebrate it as such.
Here are ten favourite things for the start of this particular three month holiday.
I hope you enjoy them!
Happy June to you all!

1. Summer Bag
I have tried, I really have, to carry a small handbag.  
There was a certain Calvin Klein clutch that I found especially appealing and almost bought one afternoon at Bloomingdales.  Before I did, however, I took out the absolute essentials from the bag on my arm to see if they would, possibly, fit in this new one.  Well.  Even the saleslady laughed. 
 No, I need a big bag, especially in summer when sunscreen, water and, occasionally, a hat are added to my usual items. 
 I always have a book.  Usually have my knitting. 
 Dog biscuits.  Lipstick.  Writing notebook.  Fan.
No, this is the bag I need.!
I love this one.
In green, please!
Find it HERE.
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2. Summer Sandals
Ever girl needs a pair, don’t you think?
No matter how little she is.
Aren’t these baby girl sandals the cutest things ever?
Find them HERE.
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3. Summer Sunglasses
Jacqueline Kennedy had the right idea.  
Big sunglasses are fabulous.
I’m never without my huge black pair.
But when I saw these new ones from Liberty, I fell in love.
Find them HERE.
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4. Summer Hideaway
When my neighbours decided to renovate their hundred year old home, they gave their imaginative daughter the attic as her bedroom.  Sloped ceilinged and full of delightful little nooks and crannies, it was a child’s dream.  But the piece de resistance was the secret room they installed behind the built-in bookcases.  I would have been over the moon with one of those when I was little. 
 Didn’t we all love hideaways and huts, secret rooms and tents?
  Spaces just big enough for us, spaces to dream our dreams and think our big thoughts, all by ourselves? 
How about this one for your little dreamer?
Isn’t it sublime?
Find it HERE.
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5. Summer Houses
Who doesn’t dream of a beach house in summer? 
For myself, it would have to be old, and have to be small. 
 With weathered floors and wide porches - large windows to catch the sea breeze.
  There would be wind chimes hanging from the eaves and exuberant roses climbing up over the roof. 
 Until I find a place just like that, this book satisfies my beach house desires just fine.
It’s lovely.
Find it HERE.
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 6. Summer Rugs
Of course on the floor of every beach house, there needs to be the perfect rug.
I am crazy about these.
Handmade, and made to order if you choose, these come in a rainbow of colours.
This beachy grey one is my favourite, though.
Find it HERE.
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7.  Summer Music
With the windows open and the house scented with vases of white gardenias, the music just has to compliment the setting.
  Appropriately enough, just in time for summer nights, the wonderful artist Melody Gardot, pictured above,  has just released her latest CD.  
Such a summertime sound. 
 I am also listening to the delightful soundtracks of The Descendants and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
  One takes me to the islands, the other to India.  
All are perfect for summer.
Find Melody Gardot HERE.
The Descendants HERE
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel HERE.
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8.  Summer Jubilee
I cannot mention June without bestowing a curtsy on Queen Elizabeth II.
Sixty years on the throne, but a lifetime of dignity and grace. 
 Britain is so fortunate to have her. 
 Truly a remarkable life.
Long may she reign.
How I’d love to be in London this week!
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9.  Summer Jubilee Shoes
And if I was in London this week....
I’d be wearing these!
Find Them HERE.
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10. Summer Book
Ever since childhood, summer has meant reading for me.  I’d head to our city’s main library, a huge old stone building with dark mahogany floors and long corridors full of magical books, and leave with my arms full.
Not much has changed. 
 I still visit the library in summer and find treasures galore.  
My latest favorite is The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones.
At first bite, The Uninvited Guests is a sweet little bonbon of a book and one that is tailor made for reading outdoors in a garden.  Nibble a bit further, however, and one encounters the spicy taste of mystery and a hint of the macabre.  Set in England during the infant years of the 20th century, not unlike our beloved Downton Abbey, The Uninvited Guests contains characters with perfectly scrumptious names like Emerald and Patience, Clovis and Smudge.  There is a capacious old house full of paisley carpets, unreliable settees and vases upon vases of hyacinths, roses and lilies.  There is a recalcitrant cook.  There is a pony.  And yes, hence the title, there are some decidedly uninvited guests who manage to arrive at a most inopportune time, right before a birthday dinner, and who happen to be much more, and much less, than they seem.  
A delightful book, perfect for summer.
Find it HERE.


Top photo via Pinterest

20 comments:

  1. I do adore you and your Edward !!

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  2. Hello Pamela

    I love your choices and the Union Jack shoes are awfully tempting.
    Thanks for the introduction to Melody Gardot. He voice is just beautiful and I can't wait to get some of her music.
    Like you, I wish I was in London next week. Let's raise a cuppa in Her Majesty's honour then.
    Helen xx

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  3. That first photo is amazing.

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  4. Fabulous first photo...screams "summer"! Love the photo of Queen Elizabeth II as well...simply beautiful.

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  5. Pamela, My favorites, a great straw bag, super sunglasses, those Jubilee Shoes, perfect!!

    Xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  6. I always love your lists and your carefully chosen artworks for each post. This photo is wonderful, the expressions on the dogs face are priceless. I may even pinch it to use this month on my desktop.
    I do hope the lovely Edward has an appropriate outfit for the weekend.
    Bon jubilee!
    Paul

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  7. Definitely the soundtracks! We saw the Exotic Marigold Hotel on Sunday and loved it ...and The Descendants another favorite.

    Joan and the Barkalots

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  8. oh my such glee such canine joy !!

    fantastic photo & most excellent list. I do wish you were on goodreads.com (would love to keep track of all your book recommendations & reviews. Much love + happy June to all xoxo Susan, Missy D & Samuel (avec les Chats of course)

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  9. Such a happy happy picture --the opening shot is!
    Agree with you on everything but especially the Queen.
    (Our daughter arrived last night from London --hiding out from all the almost too overwhelming festivities!)

    The book you suggest sounds bliss.
    Just off to order it!

    ps Claud's boss is playing for the jubilee tomorrow, I think!

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  10. A delicious list of goodies for June Pamela... Have a wonderful weekend... xv

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  11. your lists are the best!
    as are you. and edward and apple and not forgetting the song writer!
    your spirit of love and high adventure on life itself shines through every word you write in this blog. much appreciated!
    and hail to our lovely queen. even though i'm from the 'errant' colonies! lol. i do love her.
    cheers!
    tammy j

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  12. The first photo is how my teen son wants me to drive. He always gets impatient when I am "stuck" (in his mind) behind a slow driver, and I always ask if he wants me to just fly over the top of the car in front.

    The book sounds a little Agatha Christie-ish and very appealing, and those little girl shoes could almost make me wish for a little girl to dress again.

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  13. Hi Pamela

    Like the title of my post this week says "The Music's always there with you". Because of your post,I started listening to Melody Gardot last evening and could not get enough of her music. I then saw she is in Toronto June 27 but alas tickets are sold out. She has one of those voices that could sing in any language - the words seem irrelevant. Thanks for the introduction

    Helen xx

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  14. You're the best...you have captured long lost memories of the start of summer for me...I will have a renewed sense of youth and appreciation for the upcoming season. Thank you.
    Karen

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  15. Summer can't always be about outdoor living up here in the north of England, but flowers are very happy here and I would definitely enjoy reading that book. I will be adding it to my 'wishlist'. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  16. Love that hideaway! I think BBC Canada is broadcasting live tomorrow - can't wait to see the flotilla!

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  17. Pamela...that photo is a hoot! I love it!

    Big bags...I have given up too..it just has to be. I bought the LV big market bag...and can not go anywhere without it.

    Summer sandals...when you get a chance, check out Emma Hope in London....to die for!
    http://www.emmahope.co.uk/

    We are not to far off this summer...very similar in fact...but more 'cat eye' for me. I think those Liberty glasses would look spectacular on you. :)
    Summer hideaways, houses, rugs..yes, yes and yes.
    Summer music..three perfect choices.
    Summer Jubilee...I'm with you on that one
    and your summer book choice...right up my alley.

    My summer is now complete...I can get started.

    Jeanne xx

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  18. So much food for thought here I don't know where to begin!!! Love your tastes...

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  19. A great list - the book and the Antibes basket really appeal to me and that photo of the Queen is really beautiful - it's not one I've seen before.

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  20. I always love your lists, Pamela. Rooms to Inspire by the Sea is going on my wish list and though it's not on this list I am also adding The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. I had such a laugh a few posts back.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!