Little Summer Inspirations: Roses, Handmade Shorts and Provence Dreams

Summer! ☀️ It’s almost here and I couldn’t be more overjoyed about it. This week we’re supposed to hit an unexpected heat wave in the PNW and, as you know, I’m thrilled and I’m probably the only one. That’s okay, I will be happy for everyone else around me. 😄 That said, I’ve been feeling immensely inspired by the heat, the sun, and all the flowers popping up in my new neighborhood. I rarely share posts like this and I’m not sure why, but it’s something I’d like to do more of in the future. Sometimes playing around on Canva and making my own vision boards or scrapbook pages of what I’m loving inspires me so much to actually act and get things off my checklist.

This post is no different and I’m excited to share what I’ve been looking at, what ideas are swimming through my mind, and where I’m dying to go this summer but what I’m determined to make the most of instead, right here at home.

Table of Contents

Handmade Loves

Friends, I am itching to pull out all of my fabrics and see what will work for a new pair of shorts. I’m in such a fun season of life where tight shorts are just out. Also, super short shorts are making me feel a little younger than I am. That is NOT to say I’m not young! Early 40s may seem old to some but I’m still keeping up and still as athletic as ever.

That said, I’m at the point where I’d just like to look a little more put together and nothing in my closet goes with the shorts I’ve been pulling out for the past 15 years. Truthfully, that makes sense! I’m not 26 anymore and I’m an entirely different person. In a lot of ways I’m proud of myself for using those shorts year after year instead of throwing them away. Now someone who is 26 will get to appreciate them. I definitely got my money’s worth and hopefully kept them out of the landfill for as long as possible. I am going to see if I can repurpose a few of them too.

Along with letting go of old summer items and making my own new ones, I’m trying my best to start replacing all of my polyester, rayon, and similar fabrics with all natural and breathable materials. It’s a hard task but it’s officially a must. Many of my old dresses are made of that rough, itchy fabric that causes rashes on me. I’m not reaching for them anymore. So, it’s something I genuinely need to prioritize.

Here’s my list of items I’m hoping to make:

100% cotton elastic shorts with pockets – inspiration shorts
Denim sling bag made from old shorts and jeans – like this one
100% cotton or linen dresses and tops – obsessed with this dress and this top
Upcycle vintage tablecloths into tops and a dress – I’m scouring eBay and the thrift stores to make these shorts

Cottage Rose Gardens

I’m infatuated with roses. Specifically cottage rose gardens, and I want my backyard to look like one so badly. I’m madly in love with multiple varieties right now but whenever I see them surrounding a country home or even just around my neighborhood, I can’t help but stop and admire them.

I’ve noticed I’m quite particular about my roses too. As much as I love a red rose, I don’t want them in my garden because they’d darken the space even more. I’m drawn to light peach, soft pinks, and yellow.

My family and I were in Sandpoint, ID this past weekend and we walked past an entire hedge filled with The Poet’s Wife yellow roses and when I tell you I cannot stop thinking about them. I googled what they were and where I could find them and was genuinely distraught to discover they’re virtually sold out everywhere. They’re not only the loveliest shade of yellow but they have the sweetest lemon scent. Can you imagine the honey from these roses?! 🍯

Vintage Roses: A No-Fuss Gardening Guide to Growing Stunning Flowers in Any Garden or Pot by Jane Eastoe – a book I’m officially eyeing!
Heirloom Floribunda Roses – Parfuma Earth Angel
Heirloom Floribunda Roses – Pretty Lady

Anyway, I find that I love most English roses and I hope to fill a section of our yard with loads of them someday. 🌹

Summer Picnics & The Mediterranean Diet

I follow Haley Post from My Moonstone Kitchen on YouTube. Friends, her channel is everything I love. She’s a tea drinker like myself and she’s also learning herbalism and how to mix her own tea blends, which is something I’d love to learn this year too. She released a video recently and at the end she and her husband had the most darling sunset picnic with veggie sandwiches. 🥹

Recently Ad and I decided we’re going to prioritize our health and fitness this summer. We both have goals and one of them is leaning into the Mediterranean diet. We both need to increase our protein intake to build muscle but we’re also trying to eat a bit more plant based. Those veggie sandwiches looked absolutely perfect for a date night with the sunset. If you read my summer bucket list you know I’m hoping to catch as many sunsets as possible this year.

Picnic Basket – I’m unpacking mine and getting it ready!
Glass Containers with Tempered Lids – these are perfect not only for carrying but to quickly see what’s packed
Waterproof blanket
The Mediterranean Dish: 120 Bold and Healthy Recipes You’ll Make on Repeat – I have this on hold at the library

Inspo from: Travel Folk, My Magic Earth, & Pinterest

Provence, France & Lavender Farms

When I tell you I am dreaming of everything Provence, I mean everything!

Lavender Hand Soap by Compagnie de Provence
Lavender Soap Bar by Pre de Provence Artisanal Soap Bar
Harney & Sons Provence Tea (White Tea with Flavors of Apricot, Lemon and Lavender) – swoon! Make this an iced tea and I’m there. 🫖
Panier des Sens Lavender Candle (Hand-Poured in Provence)
Herbes De Provence – on everything
Lavender Essential Oil from Haute-Provence – for the best night of sleep!

My Pinterest is filled to the brim with places I’d love to go someday. Far off lands I dream of often and know I would love. I’m lucky enough to have cousins who live in Paris so I’ve been there a few times. Paris is an easy city to navigate and such an adventurous place, but lately my heart has been aching for the romantic energy and architecture of the Provence region. They’re known for miles of lavender fields and colorful French villages.

I was browsing Viator for tour inspiration and came across a Marseille Food Tour that looks incredible. But after looking through all the travel photos, the Provence Highlights Full-Day Tour from Avignon looks like the one I’d jump on, particularly if I were traveling solo. 💕

I dream of the day I get to walk those cobblestone streets. Until then, I have a few local ideas tucked up my sleeve:

Visit the lavender farm that’s close by
Eat french salads like Salade de Chèvre Chaud or Peach Caprese Salad
Take a french cooking class at Sur la Table
Read The Little Provence Book Shop by Gillian Harvey

Summer, to me, has always been a little less about the destination and so much more about the feeling. You know what I’m talking about – the sun on your skin, napkins trying to blow off a set table outside, something blooming where there used to be nothing. 🌻 That’s true Summer to me.

I may not make it to a lavender field in Provence this year, but I’ll be sewing something beautiful, growing something lovely, and eating outside as many nights as I can. That feels like enough. In fact, that feels like everything. ☺️

I hope this little vision board reminded you that the life you’re dreaming of is a lot closer than you think and you don’t always need to travel far and wide to find it.

xoxo