A First Day of Summer List

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass 

on a summer day listening to the murmur of water,

 or watching the clouds float across the sky,

 is hardly a waste of time." 

John Lubbock

The tiny beads of condensation on the silver dish of ice cream.

The crosshatch etched on bare thighs by outdoor wicker chairs.

The sleepy whirling metronome of the ceiling fan.

The just-caught firefly that makes your fist glow orange in the one brief second before you release it to the night.

The lazy dog dozing with his head in your lap.

The porch ferns.

The blue hydrangeas.

The smell of fresh corn on the grill.

The sound of splashes in the birdbath.

The feel of crisp cool sheets on a hot still night.

The sibilation of sprinklers.

The slap of the old screened door.

Sand.

Roses.

Watermelon.

Summer.

It is such irony that the very hour we celebrate the arrival of summer is the very hour we begin the journey into winter.  The days only shorten from here.   Bit by bit, these summer afternoons so beloved by Henry James have their sun-kissed seconds shaved by time, each growing shorter, infinitesimally, hardly noticed, until we lift our faces to a change in the wind and a spell is cast that turns maple greens to russet and daisy yellows to gold.  Of all the seasons, summer seems ephemeral.  Like the sweet beach memories we make at this time, the edges of each summer day feels softly blurred, like the old photographs so many of them are destined to become.  

So close your eyes.  Breathe deeply.

And love each summer day.

Here’s a list of fun things for this new season.

xoxo

1.  Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot 

As those of you who follow me on Instagram already know, I spent some time in Yorkshire this past April.  A marvelous part of Great Britain, from the gothic moors of Bronte country to the bucolic dales of James Herriot.  Every single day of that journey was completely wonderful.  

For a couple of nights we stayed in a charming little B and B near Fountains Abbey where, on my dressing table, sat a ordinary bottle of hand lotion by Molton Brown.  Now, I’ve encountered this brand before and have always liked it.  But this particular fragrance was intoxicating.  It was as though they had managed to bottle summer.  Fresh grass, orange blossoms, salt water - I almost wanted to put it to my ear to listen for the sea.  Needless to say, I have filled my house with this fragrance since returning home. 

I’m not kidding.  It’s fabulously addictive.

Find it HERE
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  2.  For Little Girls

 This would have been my favorite summer shirt when I was little.

Hands down.

Find it HERE

***

3.  Black Rabbit Hall

by Eve Chase 

The absolutely perfect summer book.

Atmospheric and irresistible.

Loved it.

Find it HERE

***

4.  Pillows
New Pillows Up Now!
Find them HERE

***

5.  Gardening Boots and Gloves

Love, love these!
Find them HERE
and HERE
***

6.  Lily and Lionel Scarves

It’s no secret that I lose my mind in the scarf department at Liberty of London, but it’s certainly a comfort to know I’m not alone.  It’s truly one of the most tempting places on the planet and I usually try and  bring something special back with me each time I’m there.  I’m particularly fond of Lily and Lionel scarves, like the one above.

Isn’t that the perfect scarf for summer?

Find it HERE

***

7.  Nelly Dean<

by Alison Case

Visiting Bronte country was  a dream come true for me and since returning, I’ve been immersed in everything Bronte, for a special reason. (More about that later)  While I usually steer clear of books that pilfer their plots from the classics, I dipped into this one out of rampant curiosity and could not put it down.  

The story of Nelly Dean, the housekeeper at Wuthering Heights.  

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

I loved it.

Find it HERE.

***

8.  Genius

If you are a writer.  

If you live with a writer.

If you love books.

Or if you just have a crush on Colin Firth.

Go see this movie.

See the Trailer HERE

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9.  Sunny Afternoon

To be completely honest, I purchased these tickets primarily for The Songwriter.

But boy, oh boy, did I have a good time!

Trust me, if you’re in London over the summer….

Go see this!

See more HERE

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10.  Julia Reed’s South

Just the most delicious bite of a southern summer

 you’re ever going to have.

Find it HERE

Happy Summer, 
from Edward!
xo