7 Ways To Make Summer Last

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It's no secret to those of you who read this blog that summer is my favorite time of year. It's also no secret that this most magnificent of seasons is in its final hour. (Excuse me while I go ugly cry in the corner for a hot minute.) While there are undoubtedly some truly fantastic things about the beginning of fall (I can certainly appreciate a good denim jacket or a breezy day at the apple orchard), I'm just not ready to let summer go at the end of August - or ever, really. In fact, I do my very best to keep a "never ending summer" state of mind well past Labor Day. Today I thought I'd share with you all a few of the little things I do to make the sweetest of seasons last. Whether you're like me and (perhaps pathetically, but without shame) cling onto summer like a toddler unwilling to go to bed clings to his/her mother's leg, or you can't wait to drown yourself in pumpkin spice scented perfume and tarp-size blanket scarves but still appreciate a sprinkling of summer's happy vibes, I hope you enjoy my personal list of ways to create your own endless summer.

1. Get a pedicure (in a summertime shade). Not that anyone in her/his right mind needs an excuse to get a pedicure (because they're freaking amazing), but there is something about freshly painted nails and soft, perfectly buffed feet that screams summertime, am I right? I opt for summer-toned colors too, like pale blues, so every time I look down at my bare or sandaled feet (because you better believe these feet don't touch fall boots until at least the end of October), I'm transported to a sunny summer day. And if I'm in the mood to take my summery vibes up a serious notch, I sip on JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay while I'm getting my toes painted (we're talking melt in your mouth, creamy-licious chardonnay; trust me when I say Everything's Better with Butter!).

2. Wear summer clothes until no longer seasonably appropriate. I mean, you don't need to be a fashion victim and like, wear a lightweight floral mini dress and flip flops in the snow or anything, but you can make your summer wardrobe last in a practical, stylish way. I am a big fan of denim jackets over floral maxi dresses (like I'm wearing in these photos) well into September (and sometimes beyond), and layering in general. I prefer summer clothes (times a million) to fall and winter duds, and when I wear them, I'm able to stay in that summer state of mind I love so much.

3. Take a day trip to the beach. There is a lake and beach we go to for a weekend getaway every year in June or July that I associate with summertime like no other place. So we try to make it back there (it's less than a couple of hours away) every September or October (before it gets cold), just for a day. It's a great reminder that geographically, "summer" is a short car ride away. If they're isn't a beach close by, you can still pack a beach bag with a big comfy towel, your favorites sunnies, some coconut scented sunscreen, your favorite bottle of wine (Hint: berry-licious, luscious JaM Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon for the win. This Cab is my JaM!) and some cheese and crackers, and go have yourself a beach-themed picnic.

4. Surround yourself with plants and flowers. This is pretty self explanatory, really. Plants and flower thrive in the summer (at least here in Chicago). They make people think of summer. The end.

5. Eat outside, every night, until the weather no longer allows. I admittedly forget to eat out on our deck for most of the summer, until the end of August hits and I frantically realize I'm almost out of time. But at that point, our dinners become al fresco until we physically can't handle the cold of autumn nights. There is very little that feels more summery to me than enjoying my favorite meal and a nice glass of chilled JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay under an evening sky. Bliss, man. Bliss.

6. Freeze or can your garden harvest. I can't exactly say we have a "garden," but we urban container garden grow the sh*t out of some cherry tomatoes on our deck. For me, doing this is one of the ultimate symbols of summer, and I've been doing it for years. We eat them throughout the summer, and I always get a little sad (and by a little sad I mean I usually cry, for real) when it's time to say goodbye to the tomato plants for the year. My solution is to make a ton of salsa and freeze it. Every time I want a taste of summer, I dip into this salsa, paired with a class of delicious JaM Cellars Cab or Butter. The best.

7. Take the time to relax (with your favorite beverage). I think the absolute best thing about summer (other than the weather, considering that late October through April in Chicago are basically the equivalent of my own personal hell) is that it's season of relaxation. The livin' is easy. (Ella Fitzgerald knew what she was talking about, man.) And when you are a high anxiety person who stresses fairly easily (over here! hi!), you genuinely appreciate any type of environment that encourages down time. So when fall approaches and I start to feel the hustle of back to school and my busy season at work and the fact that the season of easy livin' is slowly dyin', I grab a glass of either Butter Chardonnay or JaM Cab, kick up my feet, close my eyes, and envision beaches, gardens bursting with strawberries, picnics and barbecues and outdoor parties, bicycle rides and yellow fields of wildflowers and swing sets at the park, dancing barefoot to music under the stars, and basically every other summer stereotype I can imagine in one sitting. It's my form of meditation, and it keeps me in a summertime state of mind all year long. And the deliciousness that is JaM Cellars (they make three easy-to-love, everyday California wines - Butter Chardonnay, JaM Cabernet and Toast Sparkling) helps this state of mind in a big way. The best news is that they're under $20 and available in a store right near you. Summertime relaxation forever and ever.

Fellow summer lovers, how do you tell summertime to slow down?

Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Bubby and Bean possible. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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