A sense of relief and celebration is in the air as the world slowly emerges from the pandemic and the seasons shift into a long-awaited summertime. This time of year always represents freedom, but we can’t wait to have fun this summer after such a long stretch of quarantine! Here are a few things that are sparking joy for us this season:
Love is in the Hair
For so many of us, quarantine was a time of introspection, reevaluation, adaptation, and renewal. Although this has led countless women to reconsider career paths and adjust life goals, it has also given some the opportunity to establish a better relationship with their hair! Whether by spending more time on pampering tresses with moisturizing treatments or embracing natural hair textures, many ladies have been on a journey towards greater acceptance of their lovely locks. New and exciting hair trends have resulted from the growing collective appreciation for the natural diversity in hair types. One trendy haircut that beauty mags have been raving about for summer 2021 style forecasts is called the “curly shag.” Sandra Oh, known from her Killing Eve and Grey’s Anatomy roles, currently sports this enviable ‘do that features tousled bangs and face-framing layers. A curlier take on the classic shag haircut, we love how the curly shag wonderfully highlights its wearer’s bouncy hair texture and looks charming on anyone with wavy, curly, or coily hair.
It’s Mint to Be
If you require a recipe for a refreshing drink to serve your guests at your next summer soiree, we adore Bon Appetit’s Minty Limeade. This sparkling virgin beverage is perfect for sipping as is, but for a boozier version, you can always spike this mocktail with white rum to make a classic mojito cocktail.
Ingredients:
Fresh juice of 4 limes (about ½ cup), plus 1 lime cut into wedges
Fresh juice of 3 lemons (about ¾ cup), plus 1 lemon cut into wedges
½ cup sugar
Pinch of kosher salt
2 large handfuls of mint leaves (about 3 cups), plus mint sprigs for garnish
1 12-oz. can soda water, chilled
Instructions:
Mix lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a large pitcher. Add mint leaves, lime wedges, and lemon wedges. Using a wooden spoon, smash down to bruise citrus and mint leaves (this will take a few minutes), then stir until sugar dissolves. Chill limeade until cold.
Divide limeade among chilled ice-filled glasses. Top with soda water and garnish with mint sprigs
Just Peachy
Moving on to dessert, we love an easy summer sweet that requires minimal effort and has maximum flavor. This simple dish of honeyed grilled peaches featured on the Food52 website uses just four ingredients, and if you already have the grill fired up from dinner, you are good to go. Just don’t forget the vanilla ice cream!
Ingredients:
4 medium peaches, halved
1 teaspoon butter
4 teaspoons brown sugar
honey, for drizzling
Instructions:
Heat grill to Medium-High.
Cut peaches in half and remove pit from each. Discard pit. Coat peach halves in butter and sprinkle brown sugar on all sides. Grill for 2 minutes on each side. Remove from grill and drizzle honey over peaches before serving.
Once Upon a Time…
photo via My French Country Home Magazine
A new aesthetic trend has sprung up recently that venerates the pastoral beauty of fairytale settings and rustic farmstead living. This stylistic movement is called “cottagecore,” so-named for the romantic and cozy appeal of cottages. While it is an homage to bygone eras, cottagecore also incorporates aspects of fantasy worlds that don’t quite belong in any history books. It encompasses interior design, fashion, and makeup trends and encourages a love of crafts, gardening, tea parties, walks in the woods, and all things lace. Some speculate that this folksy trend has exploded on social media due to the delightful escapism that it provides, which has been so needed in the past 1 ½ years. Cottagecore focuses on tuning into the restorative nature of time spent at home and in nature. As such, it has been a source of comfort for many of its adherents during the age of social distancing. Some elements of this aesthetic in clothing are gingham, lace, tiered-style dresses, puffy sleeves, embroidery, and floral prints: picture anything that you could wear to a picnic in a wildflower-filled meadow. If you would like to imbue your wardrobe with this enchanting trend, here are some pieces on offer at Anthony’s we think will be perfect for a storybook-worthy look:
Square Neck Floral Paisley Knit Top by Rafaella
This flowery top, reminiscent of a traditional peasant blouse, has a flattering square neckline and cute puffed sleeves with knotted details on the cuffs.
Animal Print Tiered Dress by Oli and Sofia
With a flirty tiered silhouette and flared bell sleeves, this pastel yellow dress is a delightfully breezy summer frock.
Mini Check UPF50+ Sun Shirt by IKBUL
In an adorable gingham pattern, this pretty top is crafted from IBKUL’s signature UPF50+ fabric that will provide all-day protection while frolicking in the sunshine.
Ivory French News Pull-On Ankle Pant by Krazy Larry
A dreamy design of French cursive writing bedecks this pull-on pant cut from Krazy Larry’s highly-favored bengaline fabric for an unforgettable fit.
Embroidered Cutout Knit Tee by Coconut Row
This knit tee is elevated from the ordinary by a flourish of gorgeous embroidery and unique cut-out accents.
The Bold and the Beautiful
Perusing lists of must-try summer beauty trends from magazines and websites, one gets the idea that most featured looks aren’t meant for mature women because the photographs generally feature younger models. While many makeup styles are a matter of personal preference, we reject the notion that there are any hard and fast rules for what women over 50 should adorn themselves with. Of course, you might not be into the more avant-garde looks seen on runways, but there is no reason that you can’t experiment with bright colors and bold lines, especially during summer. For guidance on playing with new makeup looks, no matter your age, check out this empowering article by allure:
Getting Bolder: Welcome to the Brightest, Shiniest, and Most Glittery Years of Your Life
We hope you have enjoyed this round-up of our favorite ideas for having the best summertime ever! What are some of the style trends, bites, and beverages that are inspiring you this season? Let us know in the comments below what you are loving this summer!
1 comment
Valentina
Great ideas can’t wait to try a few !
Great ideas can’t wait to try a few !