As the mercury soars and the days stretch into balmy evenings, staying cool becomes not just a challenge, but a enduring art form. Summer offers a unique opportunity to slow down and tune into the rhythms of nature. We find luxury in simplicity — a well-tended garden, a meal shared with friends beneath the stars, the decadent cool of slipping between linen sheets at day’s end. Living in Charleston, we’ve found it better to embrace the heat. Here’s our guide on how to flourish in the summer, from what to wear to what to eat and everything in-between.
Style That Breathes
Summer style is all about light, airy fabrics that whisper against your skin, allowing it to breathe and bask in the gentle caress of a summer breeze. Think organic linens, gossamer-thin cotton, and sumptuous silk in flowing silhouettes. A chic, wide-brimmed hat not only serves as a stylish accessory but also shields you from the sun’s more amorous advances, keeping your complexion serene and cool.
Culinary Alchemy: Foods That Cool
In the realm of summer wellness, your plate becomes a canvas for culinary alchemy — foods that not only cool the body but nourish the soul. Hydration reigns supreme, with water taking on new forms — think chilled cucumber-mint infusions, watermelon gazpacho, and coconut water ice pops. These are not just refreshments; they are potions for sustaining our inner sanctuary against the heat.
The Luxe of Cool
As the day wanes, turn to wellness rituals that ground and refresh. If you live near a body of water, a cooling dip or even a bath at home, can draw out the day’s heat and replenish the spirit. Yoga flows or slow walks at dawn or dusk, in the cooler thresholds of the day, keep the body supple and serene. And as night falls, let your bedroom be a sanctuary for cool. A diffuser with peppermint or eucalyptus oil, crisp, organic cotton sheets, and the gentle whir of a fan encourage a restorative sleep, leaving you rejuvenated and ready to embrace another summer day.
Summer is not a season to endure, but to savor. Our choices become a reflection of our reverence for the season and for the selves we are continually becoming. As we navigate these warm months, let us do so with intention and a sense of joy. The heat of summer, rather than being an adversary, becomes a catalyst for rediscovering the art of living well.
